NUYTSIA
Volume 7 ♦ Number 2
1990
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN HERBARIUM
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
AND LAND MANAGEMENT
Nuytsia floribunda (Labill.) R. Br. ex Fenzl — the Western Australian Christmas Tree. The journal is
named after the plant, which in turn commemorates Pieter Nuijts, an ambassador of the Dutch East India
Company, who in 1627 accompanied the "Guide Zeepard" on one of the first explorations along the south coast
of Australia.
Cover design by Sandra Bird.
NUYTSIA
VOLUME 7 NUMBER 2
1990
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN HERBARIUM,
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND LAND MANAGEMENT
COMO, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
CONTENTS
Page
A new species of Trianthema (Aizoaceae) from the Kimberley region and a note on
T. triquetra. By Volker Biltrich 1 17
Correction and further notes to ’Studies on the Australasian Asclepiadaceae. I.
Brachystelma Simms in Australia’ By P.I. Forster 123
Taxonomy of Grevillea brachystylis species complex (Proteaceae).
By G J. Keighcry 125
Caesia viscida , a new species of Anthericaceae (Liliaceae s. lat.) from south-western
Australia. By GJ. Keighery 133
Patersonia spirafolia (Iridaceae), a new species from south-western Australia. By
G.J. Keighery 137
New species of Olearia (Astcraceae: Astereae) endemic to Western Australia.
By N.S. Lander 141
Taxonomic Studies of Fimbristylis (Cyperaceae) in Northern Australia.
ByP.K. Latz 161
Acacia Miscellany 1 . Some oligoneurous species of Acacia (Leguminosae:
Mimosoideae: Section Plurinerves ) from Western Australia. By R.S. Cowan and
B.R. Maslin 183
Acacia Miscellany 2. Species related to A. deltoidea (Leguminosae:Mimosoideae:
Section Plurinerves) from Western Australia. By R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin 201
Acacia Miscellany 3. Some new microncurous taxa of Western Australia related to
A. multilineata (Leguminosae:Mimosoideae: Section Plurinerves) from Western
Australia. By R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin 209
Acacia Miscellany 4. Three new Western Australian species with affinities to
A. wilhelmiana (Leguminosae:Mimosoidcae: Section Plurinerves) from Western
Australia. By R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin 221
Correction to ’New taxa and notes on Banksia L.f. (Proteaceae)’ by A.S. George,
Nuytsia 6(3): 309-317 (1988) 229
Publication date of Nuytsia Volume 7 Number 1 229
Editorial Board
N.S. Lander (Editor)
T.D. Macfarlane
N.G. Marchant
Editorial Assistant
J.W. Searle
Western Australian Herbarium,
Department of Conservation and Land Management,
P.O. Box 104, Como, Western Australia 6152
Nuytsia 7(2): 117-122
117
A new species of Trianthema (Aizoaeeae) from the
Kimberley region and a note on T. triquetra
by Volker Bitlrich
Institut fur AUgemeine Botanik und Bolanischer Garten der Universitat Hamburg,
Ohnhorstslr. 18, D-2000 Hamburg 52, Federal Republic ol Germany
Abstract
Bittrich, V. A new species of Trianthema (Aizoaeeae) from the Kimberley region and a note on T. triquetra. Nuytsia
7(2): 117-122 (1990). A new species of Trianthema is described, namely T. kimberleyi Bitlrich & Jenssen, endemic to the
Hall District of the Northern Botanical Province of Western Australia. Some observations on several forms of T. triquetra
Willd. in Australia are provided: these differ mainly in leaf anatomy.
Introduction
The genus Trianthema L. (Aizoaeeae) consists of about 20 species distributed in the tropics and
subtropics, mainly in the southern hemisphere. Until now, twelve species have been recorded from
Australia: ten of these are endemics (Prescott 1984).
The genus belongs to the subfamily Sesuvioideae (4 genera), which is characterized by
circumscissile capsules, an aril completely sheathing the seed, Kranz anatomy of the leaves (with
rare exceptions), and bracteate inflorescences (Bittrich & Hartmann 1988). The genus itself is
defined by the monocarpellate gynoecium. Further characteristics are Lhe large-celled hypodermis
of the leaves (probably functioning as a water storage organ) and the often myxospermous seeds,
where the mucus is produced by the swelling of the aril after moistening, a feature also found in the
closely related genus Zaleya Burm.f Jeffrey (1960) described two subgenera, Trianthema subgen.
Trianthema and Trianthema subgen. Papularia (Forsk.) Jeffrey, distinguished by the number of
ovules and the number of flowers per partial inflorescence. The new species described here is
included in the subgen. Trianthema. T. triquetra belongs to the subgen. Papularia. However, it
needs to be investigated whether the two subgencra defined by Jeffrey (I960) are also monophyleLic
groups and the characters mentioned by him provide synapomorphics for one or both of these
subgenera.
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Nuylsia Vol. 7,No.2(1990)
Nearly all Australian species of Trianthema are annual herbs; only T. turgidifolia F. Muell. is
more or less shrubby and perennial. A number of species are conspicuously hairy on all green parts
(e.g. T. pilosa F. Muell., T. rhynchocalyptra F. Muell.); others are only sparsely pubescent or
completely glabrous (e.g. T. porlulacasirum L., T. triquetra). The new species belongs to the latter
group and is closely related to T. compacta C. While, T. glossostigma F. Muell., and T. oxycalyptra
F. Muell.
Trianthema kimberleyi Bittrich & Jenssen sp. nov. (Figure 1)
Flerba annua, glabra, prostata, c. 5 cm alta et 20 cm diametro; folia opposita, carnosa,
inaequalia, basaliter connata, saepe apiculata, lamina late obovata vcl ovalis, c. 4-1 1 mm longa et
1.5-5 mm lata; petiolus c. 1-2 mm longus, basaliter cum vaginis membranaceis bidentatis; flores
solitarii, breviter pedunculati; bracteae 2, membranaceae, apiculatae et denticulatac; tepala 5, basi
connata, valvata, dorso viridia, intus albidarosea; stamina 10, 5 opposititcpala, 5 altcmitcpala; stylus
1, c. 1.2 mm longus; ovarium simplex uniloculare, placentatione marginali, ovulis biscriatis; ovula
10-12; capsulae circumscissae, cum pedicellis, operculis conicis; semina c. 1.1 mm longa,
brunneanigra, glabra, cum arillis omnino vaginata; embryo hippocrepicus; chromosomatum
numerus 2n = 48.
Typus : c. 20 km south of the Great Northern Highway between Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek,
199 km west of Halls Creek, c. 2 km WSW of Christmas Creek homestead, Western Australia; near
a small lake on flat hills in schistose rocks, 15 March 1989, V. Bittrich & K. Jenssen 18618 (holo:
HBG; iso: CANB, K, PERTH).
Much branched, prostrate, annual herb c. 20 cm in diameter and 5 cm high, glabrous.
Branching in the vegetative part of the plant monopodial, in the flowering region sympodial, the
branches here of unequal diameter. Leaves opposite, flat, elliptical to obovate, 4-1 1 mm long and
1.5-5 mm broad, often with a short mucro at the apex, basally shortly connate, weakly papillose,
succulent due to the large water-storing cells of the epidermis and hypodermis, reddish on the
abaxial surface; leaves in the flowering region anisophyllous, with the thicker sidcbranch in the axil
of the larger leaf; petiole 1-2 mm long, basally expanded into a membranaceous sheath with two
acuminate lobes. Flowers solitary, axillary, with an intense honey smell at anthesis; pedicels up to
2 mm long at anthesis, but elongated to up to 5 mm when fruiting, with two scarious, lanceolate,
apiculate and denticulate bracts; perianth c. 7.5 mm in diameter, 5-partite; tube obconical, c. 2 mm
long, with a whitish nectary disk inside at the base; lobes green outside, whitish-pink inside,
valvate; stamens 10, 5 opposite and 5 alternate to the tcpals, inserted at the mouth of the perianth
tube; anthers pale pink, smooth; style 1, filiform with a row of short papillae on one side; placenta
marginal with 10-12 ovules in 2 rows. Capsule dehiscing by circumscissile split about the middle,
operculum subovoid; seeds 6-8, broadly ovoid or pyriform, c. 1.1 x 0.9 x 0.6 mm, brownish to
black, smooth, completely sheathed by an aril, which sw'clls slightly when moistened; embryo
horseshoe-shaped, curved around the mealy perisperm. Chromosome number 2n = 48.
Distribution. Known only from the type locality in the southern Kimberley region where it is
confined to the Hall District of the Northern Botanical Province of Western Australia.
Habitat. Grows on Oat hills in schistose rocks.
Flowering and fruiting period. March to ?.
Conservation status. Rare.
V. Bittrich, Trianlhema (Aizoaceae)
119
Figure 1. Trianlhema kimberleyi al the type locality in the southern Kimberley region.
Figure 2. Two different forms of Trianthema triquetra occurring sympatrically in the southern
Kimberley region near Fitzroy crossing ( Bittrich & Jenssen 1 8612 (left), 18610 (right)).
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Nuytsia Vol. 7, No.2 (1990)
Affinities Trianthema kimberleyi is closely related to T. compacta, T. glossostigma, and
1. oxycalyptra. It is distinguishable from these species by the ± valvate (instead of imbricate)
tepals. Additionally, it dilters from T. compacta by the mucronatc, more succulent, always petiolatc
leaves, the constant number and regular arrangement of the stamens, and the aril, which does not
swell alter moistening in T. compacta\ from T. glossostigma by the stamen number and the
unsculptured tesla (ribbed in 7 . glossostigma ); from T. oxycalyptra by the absence of the dorsal
unuacial mucro on die tepals, and the smooth aril, which is conspicuously papillate in
7 . oxycalyptra.
Etymology . The specific epithet refers to the distribution of the species, which is known at present
only from the type locality in the southern Kimberley region of Western Australia.
Trianthema triquetra Willd.
I rianthema triquetra belongs to a group of species with its centre of distribution in the arid
regions of southwest Africa, east Africa and India. As mentioned above, the species of this group
belong to the subgen. Papularia (Forsk.) Jeffrey (characterized by two superposed ovules and
usually clustered flowers), but up to now has not been assigned formal taxonomic rank, and still
awaits critical revision. Differences between species described in the published Floras of the areas
H^tioned olten are restricted to form and size of leaves, tepals and the perianth tube, characters
which are subject to some plasticity dependent on water supply. Some taxa (species, subspecies or
varieties), however, seem to be well circumscribed, but an investigation of the group over its whole
distribution is necessary, before a satisfactory classification is possible.
The members of this group are characterized by smooth or papillose leaves and stems; and
two-seeded circumscissile capsules, the circular operculae of which are depressed at the apex and
partially enclose the upper seed. The dead tepals are generally hygrochastic and, when bending
outwards after wetting, loosen the operculae which are then washed away by raindrops, thus
lunctioning as dissemination units. The small, often inconspicuous flowers have only five stamens
alternate to the perigon lobes. Also, form and sculpturing of the seeds are rather similar in all
members of the group.
7 rianthema triquetra contains two subspecies described from Africa and a number of varieties.
In the treatment for volume 4 ot the Flora of Australia ", Prescott (1984) describes two varieties
only. Apparently it was assumed that only T. triquetra subsp. triquetra occurs in Australia as no
other subspecies arc mentioned. Prescott (1984) notes considerable confusion in the use ’of the
names of the two varieties (T. triquetra var. triquetra and T. triquetra var. clavata (J. Black)
H. Eichlcr), which are mainly delimited by the different leaf form and degree of succulence.
According to her, the variety with clavate, more succulent leaves is restricted to central Australia
and may only be a modification under extreme arid conditions. Such different forms, however, can
also be found in northwest Australia, sometimes even occurring sympatrically (Figure 2). It’ was
found in comparative cultivation that the different leal' forms are genetically fixed.
In Australia there occurs, however, a third lorm, which seems to be far less common than the
former two and has been overlooked hitherto. The new form was recently collected by us in
northwest Australia {Bittrich & Jenssen 18601, 18616, 18646; HBG, PERTH). The difference
between the new form and the two other varieties lies in the leaf anatomy, which can be easily
recognized in living plants, but only with difficulty in herbarium specimens. The varieties
rrianthema triquetra var. triquetra and var. clavata develop a water-storing tissue adjoining the
epidermis on the abaxial side of the leaf (Figures 2 & 3). Therefore, the chlorcnchymc is developed
on the adaxial side of the leaves only or in more succulent leaves (hence the varietal epithet
clavata") where it forms a semicircle around the water tissue. The leaves of the new form
however, show a central water-storing tissue only and have a chlorcnchyme on both sides, thus
being isobilateral in cross-section (Figure 3). In some leaves a very small gap in the chlorcnchyme
edn be found on the abaxial side, visible ns a narrow translucent band which either stretches from
the base to the top of the leaf or is present only in the basal part. This is reminiscent of the strongly
V. Bittrich, Trianthema (Aizoaceae)
121
Figure 3. Leaves of two forms of Trianthema triquetra in abaxial view with different anatomy
(Bittrich &Jenssen 18612 (above), 18601 (below)).
Figure 4. Leaf of Trianthema turgidifolia ( Bittrich & Jenssen 18644) in abaxial view and cross-section.
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Nuytsia Vol. 7, No.2 (1990)
succulent leaves of the closely related T. turgidifolia F. Muell., where at least part of the leaves on
every plant also show a narrow translucent band on the abaxial side (Figure 4). In connection with
the different position of the water-storing tissue and the chlorenchymc also the innervation of the
leaves as seen in cross-section is different. In the first case, where a chlorenchymc is absent on the
abaxial side of the leaves, vascular bundles arc also absent in this part. In the second case, however,
the primary and secondary vascular bundles lie more or less inside the central water-storing tissue,
whereas the higher order bundles are arranged circularly at the periphery of the central
water-storing tissue. This difference in pattern is not surprising, as all Trianthema species arc
characterized by Kranz anatomy, and the chlorenchymc and the kranzcells lie around the leaf veins
(Figure 3). In both leaf types a very narrow translucent stripe in the middle of the adaxial side of
the leaves often is visible, as the vascular bundles (with the chlorcnchyme around) cross only
occasionally here. It is interesting that both leaf types can also be found in African members of the
species group.
A formal taxonomic treatment of the new form of Trianthema triquetra is still hardly possible,
as long as the whole species group is insufficiently known. It is, however, probably identical with
T. glaucifolia F. Muell. (type MEL 99963 from Queensland), treated as a synonym of T. triquetra
by Prescott (1984), but this is difficult to decide on the basis of herbarium material. T. triquetra in
Australia is variable in other characters (epidermis of leaves and stems, number of flowers per
inflorescence, seed sculpture, length of the perianth tube, chromosome number), too, which need
further investigation. At present it is even uncertain whether the name T. triquetra will persist in
future, as the earlier described species T. salsoloides Fcnzl ex Oliver is rather similar and might be
an earlier name for the same taxon. In the future, attention should be paid to the differences
described above in order to obtain more information about the distribution of the different forms.
Acknowledgements
This research work was supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, for
which I am very grateful. I should like to thank Dr J. Kadcrcit for improving the English text and
M. Struck for critically reading the manuscript.
References
Bittrich, V. & Hartmann, H.E.K. (19S8). The Aizoaceae - a new approach. Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 97: 239-254.
Jeffrey, C. (1960). Notes on tropical African Aizoaceae. Kew Bull. 14: 235-238.
Prescott, A. (1984). Trianthema. In George, A. S. (ed.), "Flora of Australia”, vol. 4, pp. 52-60.
Nuytsia 7(2): 123-124(1990)
123
Correction and further notes to ’Studies on the Australasian
Asclepiadaceae. I. Brachystelma Simms in Australia’
P.I. Forster
Botany Department, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4067
Abstract
Forster, P.I. Correction and further notes to ‘Studies on the Australian Asclepiadaceae. I. Brachystelma Simms in
Australia. Nuytsia 7(2): 123-124 (1990). It is noted that the name Brachystelma glabriflorum (F. Mucll.) Schltr. has priority
over B . microstemma Schltr. for the single species occurring in Australia, New Guinea and Indonesia. A corrected
synonymy for this taxon is provided.
The name Brachystelma Sims is now conserved over Microstemma R. Br. (Brummit 1988).
The earliest available name in Brachystelma lor ihe single species that occurs in Australia, New
Guinea and Indonesia is B. glabriflorum (F. Muell.) Schltr. and not B. microstemma Schltr. as
earlier reported (Forster 1988). B. glabriflorum is based on Microstemma glabriflorum F. Muell.
from 1858 which has priority over/?, microstemma from 1914.
The type of Brachystelma papuanum Schltr. is not extant at B and was presumably destroyed in
World War II.
The corrected synonymy is given below.
Brachystelma glabriflorum (F. Muell.) Schltr., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 50: 161 (1914). — Microstemma
glabriflorum F. Muell., Fragm. Phyt. Austral. 1: 58 (1858). Type: Seaview Range, s. dat.,
F. Mueller s.n. (holo: K).
Microstemma tuberosum R. Br., Prodr. 459 (1810); Endl., Icon. Gen. PI. t. 60 (1838); F. Muell.,
Fragm. Phyt. Austral. 1: 58 (1858); Benth., FI. Austral. 4: 345 (1869); Bailey, Queensland FI. 3:
1014-1015 (1900); Bailey Compr. Cat. Queensland PI. 335, t. 312 (1913); Back & Bakhuizcn van
den Brink, FI. Java 2: 257 (1965). — Brachystelma microstemma Schltr., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 50: 160
(1914). Lectotype (here designated): Australia, Carpentaria, Turtle Island, Dec. 1802,/?. Brown s.n.
sub. J.J. Bennett 2880 (lecto: BM; isolccto: K).
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Nuytsia Vol. 7, No.2 (1990)
Brachystelma papuanum Schltr., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 50: 161 (1914). Type: Nordostl. New Guinea:
auf grasigen Hiigeln am Fusse des Bismarck-Gebirges, October 1908, R. Schlechter 18470 (holo:
B).
Acknowledgements
Paul G. Wilson (PERTH) brought to notice the priority of B. glabriflorum. B. Leuenberger (B)
provided a listing of extant Schlecter types of Asclepiadaceae at that institution.
References
Brummit, R.K. (1988). Report of the Committee for Spermatophyta: 35. Taxon 37: 444-450.
Forster, P.I. (1988). Studies on the Australasian Asclepiadaceae. I. Brachystelma Sims in Australia. Nuytsia 6(3): 285-294.
Nuytsia 7(2): 125-131
125
Taxonomy of the Grevillea brachystylis species complex (Proteaceae)
G J. Keighery
Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australian
Wildlife Research Centre, P.O. Box 51, Wanneroo, Western Australia 6065
Abstract
Keighery, GJ. Taxonomy of the Grevillea brachystylis species complex (Proteaceae). Nuytsia 7(2): 125-131 (1990).
Material formerly included in Grevillea brachystylis is shown to comprise two distinct species, one undescribed.
Grevillea bronwenae is described, and illustrated. This new species is confined to the northern margin of the Blackwood
Plateau, whereas Grevillea brachystylis contains two distinct subspecies occurring on the Swan and Scott coastal plains.
Introduction
The genus Grevillea has recently been studied by McGillivray, who has published a list of new
taxa (McGillivray 1986).
McGillivray has a relatively broad species concept within this large genus and he has left a
series of species complexes as single units. As an example, the populations studied in this paper
were considered to form a single variable species (Marriott 1986) and specimens at PERTH are
annotated as such by McGillivray.
Grevillea brachystylis is confined to the Swan and Scott coastal plains and the Blackwood
Plateau of south-western Australia. Horticulturalists and field botanists alike have recognized the
existence of distinct forms within the species. This paper presents the results of field and herbarium
studies on the conservation status and variability of Grevillea brachystylis that indicate that the
variation is discontinuous and that the Blackwood Plateau populations comprise a distinct species.
Methods
During the flowering season of 1986/87 areas of remnant bushland, state forest and conservation
reserves covering the natural range of Grevillea brachystylis were surveyed for the occurrence of
this species. Observations were made on the habit, habitat, vegetative and floral morphology of
these populations. Comparisons are made on the basis of fresh material.
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Nuytsia Vol 7, No. 2 (1990)
Utilizing this material the populations were found to differ significantly in habitat, habit, the
angle of the leaves to the stem, shape of the flower, perianth, pistil and pollen presenter. These
characters are occasionally discernible on herbarium material, but form a major character sequence
readily obtained by field observations. Characters of habit, leaf presentation, the form of the
perianth, pistil and pollen presenter are constant and significant characters in this complex and
elsewhere in the genus Grevillea (author, pers. obs.). These differences are difficult to describe but
are presented in illustrations.
Results
Field surveys carried out in 1986/87 showed that populations occurred in three disjunct regions,
namely Swan Plain, Scott Plain and Blackwood Plateau. Tabulation of a wide range of vegetative
and floral characters (Table 1) clearly demonstrates that the Blackwood Plateau populations are
markedly different from the other plains populations. These differences are reinforced by habitat
differences (see under species descriptions) and floral characters (Figures 1 and 2).
There are no intermediate populations, and populations of Grevillea brachystylis and Grevillea
bronwenae, occurring within 100 metres of each other on Queen Elizabeth Road, maintain the
differences.
Clearly the Blackwood Plateau populations should be given specific status. The two disjunct
coastal plain forms differ in minor characters (habit, colour of pollen presenter) and are thus given
subspecific status.
Taxonomy
1. Grevillea brachystylis Meissn. in Lehm., PI. Preiss. 1: 538 (1845); 252 loc. cit. 2: Type:
Mocloy’s Plain, Sussex District, 20.12.1839, J.A.L. Preiss 714 (holo: NY, photo seen).
Much branched, prostrate or decumbent to erect shrub with branches to 2 m long. Stems
slender, shiny red with current years growth almost glabrous except at ends, ± 1 mm wide. Leaves
erect, linear-lanceolate, 64-87 x 8-10 mm; margin recurved; upper surface smooth green; under
surface densely hairy- white; apex acute or pungent with a black point 0.5-1 mm long. Inflorescence
axillary, 6-7 flowered. Peduncle 4-6 mm with long, densely pubescent with short silver hairs.
Basal bract of inflorescence lanceolate-ovate, brown; apex acute, ± 7 mm long, densely hairy.
Bracts! bracteoles subtending flowers normally 3, imbricate, ovate; brown, 3-4 x 5 mm, pubescent,
persistent; apex acute. Pedicel 3.5-4.5 mm long. Perianth red, slightly saccate, 7-8 mm long; limb
6 mm long, sparingly hirsute. Pistil 7-9 mm long; stipe 3 mm long; ovary 0.5 mm long. Pollen
presenter 3-4 mm long, red or pale purple. Ovary densely hairy. Nectary yellow, c. 1 mm long,
producing copious nectar. Capsule 10-11 mm long, sparsely hairy with retained style. Seed elliptic,
supervolute, ± 7 mm long, brown; eliasome white, ± 2 mm long. Figure 1.
The species contains two subspecies.
la. G. brachystylis Meissn. subsp. brachystylis
A much branched, prostrate or decumbent shrub with branches to 60 cm long. Pollen presenter
red.
Specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Busselton, 27 Sept. 1944, C.A. Gardner s.n.
(PERTH); Yoongarillup, R.D. Royce 3806 (PERTH); Busselton area, (33° 40’ S, 115° 35’ E),
A.R. Fairall 2557 (KPBG); 3 km E of Busselton, S. Paust 117 (PERTH); Ruabon, G.J. Keighery
1022 (PERTH); Fish Road Nature Reserve, G.J. Keighery 9484 (PERTH).
G.J. Keighery, Crevillea brachystylis
127
Figure 1. Grevillea brachystylis Meissn. A - Habit. B - Inflorescence. C - Seed. D - Capsule. E - Inflorescence in bract
showing bracteoles. F - Lateral section of flower. G - Nectary. H - Front view of flower. I - Side view of flower
A, B, E-I GJ. Keighery 1022. C, D GJ. Keighery 9484. Scale bar= 10 mm, except G = 1 mm.
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Nuytsia Vol 7, No. 2 (1990)
Distribution. Confined to the southern Swan Coastal Plain, east of Busselton.
Flowering period. September.
lb. Grevillea brachystylis Meissn. subsp. australis Keighery, subsp. nov.
Frutex prostratus vel erectus robustus ramis ad 2 m longis. Flores rubri, praebitor pollinis
purpureus.
Typus: Scott River Road, Scott National Park, 29 January 1988, G.J. Keighery 9711 (holo: PERTH;
iso: CANB, K, MEL).
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Scott River (34° 15’ S, 115° 15’ E)
D. Young 348 (KPBG); Scott River Road, 5. Faust 263 (PERTH); Scott River, 20 Sept. 1973’
E. C. Nelson s.n. (PERTH, CANB); Scott River Road, //. Demarz 4334 (KPBG); Scott River,
E. Wittwer 2205 (KPBG); intersection Courtney Road and Payne Road, G.J. Keighery 9579
(PERTH); Governor Broome Road, G.J. Keighery 10343 (PERTH).
Distribution. Endemic to the Scott Coastal Plain, east of Augusta.
Flowering period. September-January.
Notes. The collections designated as Grevillea brachystylis subsp. australis can be distinguished
from G. brachystylis subsp. brachystylis by the purple pollen presenter, the branches being up to 2
m long (instead of 40-70 cm), often erect, and much branched. No intermediate populations are
known because of the disjunct nature of the species.
Etymology. From the Latin australis, referring to the southern distribution of this subspecies.
Habitat. Both varieties occur on winter wet fiats normally covered by heath with sand over day.
2. Grevillea bronwenae G.J. Keighery, sp. nov. Figure 2.
Typus: Sabina Road, Whichcr Range, 15 km S of Busselton (33° 45’ S, 115° 27’ E), B.J. &
G.J. Keighery s.n. (holo: PERTH; iso: CANB, K, MEL).
Illustration. Marriott (1986), as Grevillea brachystylis.
Frutex erectus gracilis, ad 1.5 m altus. Folia erecta, lineari-lanceolata, 104-127 mm longa.
Flores rubri, praebitor pollinis purpureus.
Slender erect shrub, with 1-5 main branches, to 1.6 metres tall. Stems ± 2 mm wide, dull red;
current year’s growth slighdy ribbed; ribs reddish marginally, green, covered centrally by dense’
short, bifid hairs, becoming glabrous with age. Leaves erect, linear-lanceolate, 104-127 x 5-6 mm;
margins recurved, scabrid on upper surface, sparsely hairy on lower surface; apex acute or pungent
with a black point 0.5-1 mm long. Inflorescence axillary, 6-7 flowered. Peduncle 4-6 mm long,
densely pubescent with short silver hairs. Basal bract of inflorescence lanceolate-ovate, brown, ±
5 mm long, densely hairy. Bracts/ bracteoles subtending flowers 3, ovate, 1-2 mm, caducous; apex
acute. Pedicel 6-8 mm long. Perianth red, yellow under anther pockets, 11-14 x 4 mm, square in
T.S., sparsely hairy. Pistil 10-11 mm long; stipe 3 mm long; ovary 0.5 mm long. Pollen presenter
3 mm long, purple or dark violet. Ovary densely hairy. Capsule 8-9 mm long, with retained style.
Seed elliptic, supervolute, ± 6 mm long; eliasome white, ± 2 mm long.
G .J. Keighcry, Grevillea brachystylis
129
Figure 2. Grevillea bronwenae Keighery. A - Habit. B - Leaf. C - Inflorescence. D - Top view of flower. E - Lateral
section of flower. F - Fruit. G - Front view of flower. H - Pollen presenter. I - Side view of flower. J - Seed.
A-E, G, H, I BJ.& GJ. Keighery s.n. (holo: PERTH). F, J GJ. Keighery 9471. Scale bar = 10 mm, except D,
H, J = 1 mm.
130
Nuytsia Vol 7, No. 2 (1990)
Table 1.
Vegetative and Floral Characters of the Grevillea brachystylis complex
TAXON
G. brachystylis
subsp. brachystylis
G. brachystylis
subsp. australis
G. bronwenae
HABIT
Prostrate stems
from lignotuber
Erect and prostrate
from lignotuber
Erect, no
lignotuber
BRANCHING
Many stems
Many stems
Few stems
RESPONSE TO FIRE
Resprouts
Resprouts
Killed
LEAF
Length (mm)
64-87
62-91
104-127
Colour underneath
White
White
Green
Width (mm)
8-10
9-10
4.5
Position
INFLORESCENCE BRACT
Erect
(at 90°)
Erect
Spreading
(at 45-60°)
length (mm)
5
5
7
BRACTEOLE length (mm)
Persistent, 4
Persistent, 4
Caducous, 2
PEDICEL length (mm)
6-8
6-8
3. 5-4.5
PERIANTH length (mm)
7-8
7-9
11-14
POLLEN PRESENTER
colour
Red
Purple
Purple
G .J. Keighery, Grevillea brachystylis
131
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Hill Road, Whicher Range, G.J. Keighery
3634 (KPBG); Jarrahwood, Aug. 1949, E. Salisbury s.n. (PERTH); Darling Scarp, E of Jarrahwood,
21 June 1965, C. Davies s.n. (PERTH); Whicher Road, Whicher Range, 29 Sept. 1979,
TJ. Hawkeswood s.n. (PERTH); 19 km S of Busselton on Nannup Road, G .J . Keighery 9471
(PERTH).
Distribution. Confined to the northern edges of the Blackwood Plateau, between Nannup and
Busselton.
Habitat. Grows on sand over laterite under Eucalyptus haematoxylon low woodland or
E. marginata/E. calophylla low woodland. The species forms dense populations 5-8 years after fire
in this area.
Flowering period. June-Decembcr, peaking August-November. Mature fruits are produced
No vember-February .
Discussion. Grevillea bronwenae is an attractive horticultural subject, and is frequently grown
under the name Grevillea brachystylis "Whicher Range Form".
Etymology. The specific epithet honours Bronwcn Keighery, my wife, for her help both in field
work in this and many other studies and for her assistance in maintaining our family during my
numerous absences in the field over the past 15 years.
Conservation Status
Although highly restricted, the range of Grevillea bronwenae is entirely in State Forest, much of
which lies within the proposed Whicher Range National Park. This species does not seem to be
under any immediate threat.
Grevillea brachystylis subsp. brachystylis was located at 20 sites on the Swan Coastal Plain.
However, 17 of these are road verge populations with little protection. Three populations occur in
actual or proposed nature reserves at Yoongarillup, Ruabon and Fish Road.
Grevillea brachystylis subsp. australis is currently known from six sites, four of which are on
road verges. Two (including the type population) are located in Scott National Park.
Currently all the above taxa are located in reserves. The variety most at risk appears to be
Grevillea brachystylis subsp. brachystylis for which the reserves and populations are relatively
small.
References
Marriott, N. (1986). Newly cultivated Grevillea. Australian Plants 13:335-340.
McGillivray, D.J. (1986). "New Names in Grevillea (Proteaceae)." (D.J. McGillivray: Castle Hill, New South Wales.)
Nuytsia 7(2): 133-135(1990)
133
Caesia viscida, a new species of Anthericaceae (Liliaceae s. lat.)
from south-western Australia
G.J. Keighery
Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australian
Wildlife Research Centre, P.O. Box 51 , Wanneroo, Western Australia 6065
Abstract
Keighery, G.J. Caesia viscida, a new species of Anlhericaceae (Liliaceae s. lat.) from south-western Australia. Nuytsia
7(2): 133-135 (1990). Caesia viscida Keighery is described and illustrated.
Introduction
During the biological survey of Cape Arid, an unusual species of Caesia was located in Banksia
speciosa shrublands. This species did not match any collections held in Perth, nor did it correspond
to any described in the review by Henderson (1987). It is described here as a new species, Caesia
viscida.
Taxonomy
Caesia viscida G.J. Keighery, sp. nov. (Figure 1)
Planta caespitosa, radicibus tuberibus gracilis dauciformis. Foliis erectus cannaliculatus
viscidus, 15-30 cm longus, laminois 5-6 mm lads. Inflorescenda brevis, 6-10 cm longis, effusus.
Perianthum segmentum album internum, externum brunneolus pallidus.
Typus: Tagon Bay Road, 33° 51’ S, 123° 00’ E, Cape Arid National Park, Western Australia,
23 November 1988, G.J. Keighery & J.J. Alford 2010 (holo: PERTH; iso: MEL, K).
Caespitose, perennial herb to 300 x 300 mm wide, from a shortly branched rhizome, with 6-20
flowering shoots produced annually. Rhizome covered by dense brown fibres (breakdown products
of the persistent leaf sheaths). Roots white, tuberous below rhizome to c. 5 mm diameter, becoming
slender at depth, to 170 mm long, annually renewed. Leaves erect, glabrous, viscid; lamina 150-300
x 5-6 mm, channelled, with 6-8 prominent veins; margin entire; apex acute to long pungent.
134
Nuytsia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990)
Figure 1. Caesia viscida. A - Habit. B - Inflorescence. C - Flower in bud showing bracteoles
D- Anther. E - Fruit. F - Seed. Drawn from GJ. Keighery & JJ. Alford 2010. Scaie
bars A = 10 cm; B = 1 cm; C, D, E, F = 1 mm.
G .J. Keighery, Caesia viscida
135
Inflorescence short, 60-100 mm long, spreading, axis while, 10-15 mm enclosed in leaf sheaths,
then green, branches 3-6, to 60 mm long. Lowest bract (below branches) leaflike, 60-80 mm long,
viscid. Basal bracts on inflorescence branches linear-subulate, to 15 mm long, scarious, brown.
Upper bracts on inflorescence branches in clusters of 1-3, subtending flowers, linear-ovate, 2-3 mm
long, scarious; apex long pungent. Bracteoles scarious, linear ovate, 1 .5-2.0 mm long, 1-2 per
flower. Peduncles 2-4 mm long, decurved, slender. Outer 3 perianth segments narrowly elliptic,
4-6 mm long, brown-green outside, white inside; apex acute, thickened, brown. Inner 3 perianth
segments narrowly elliptic, 4-6 mm long; apex obtuse, white. Staminal filaments flattened; outer
whorl 2-2.5 mm long; inner whorl c. 1 .5 mm long. Anthers yellow, dehiscing introrsely by slits.
Ovary green, angular, c. 1 mm long. Style white, c. 1.5 mm long, obscurely lobed. Capsule
3-lobed, usually 1-2-celled by abortion, 4-5 mm long, green when mature. Seed c. 1.5 mm wide;
testa very shiny, black; aril large, fleshy, white with a black margin.
Distribution. Currently known only from the type locality.
Habitat. Caesia viscida grows in Banksia speciosa shrubland on low dunes. The soils are deep
aeolian sands, grey in the A horizon but white at depth.
Flowering period. Plants at the type locality were in full flower in late November.
Conservation status. The species is currently known only from the type locality which is within
Cape Arid National Park. Similar vegetation also occurs in the adjacent Nuytsland Nature Reserve
and nearby Cape Le Grande National Park. Searches of these areas may reveal further populations.
Discussion
The viscid leaves and abbreviated inflorescence (which presents the flowers almost at ground
level) clearly separates this species from all other Caesia species. The dauciform, tuberous roots
are also unique in Western Australian Caesia species. Caesia viscida shares the dense fibrous
covering of the rhizome with Caesia rigidifolia F. Muell., and is probably most closely related to
this species.
Reference
Henderson, R.J.F. (1987). Caesia R. Br. In George, A.S. (ed.) "Flora of Australia", vol. 45, pp. 281-288. (Australian
Government Publishing Service: Canberra.)
Nuytsia 7(2): 137-139(1990)
137
Patersonia spirafolia (Iridaceae), a new species from south-western Australia
G.J. Keighery
Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australian Wildlife Research Centre,
P.O. Box 51, Wanneroo, Western Australia 6065
Abstract
Keighery, GJ. Patersonia spirafolia, (Iridaceae) a new species from south-western Australia. Nuytsia 7(2): 137-139
(1990). Patersonia spirafolia G.J. Keighery is described and illustrated.
Introduction
Patersonia was studied for the "Flora of Australia” by Cooke (1986). However, at that time an
apparently undescribed species, represented at PERTH by a single collection bearing old capsules,
was not commented upon by Cooke. Since then I have been able to collect flowering material and
ascertain that these populations indeed represent a distinct, undescribed species which is described
below.
Patersonia spirafolia G.J. Keighery, sp. nov. (Figure 1)
Herba perennis caespes ad 40 cm latitudo formans. Folia torsiva, 5-20 cm longa, margine
brunnea, pilis adpressis. Scapus glaber, 15-25 cm. longus. Spathae lanceolatae, 24-26 mm vel
21-22 mm longa, brunnea, glabra.
Typus: Unnamed hill, 30° 24’ S, 115° 21’ E, NW corner of Badgingarra National Park, Western
Australia, 15 October 1988, G.J. Keighery 10409 (holo: PERTH; iso; CANB, K, MEL, NSW).
Rootstock a spreading woody rhizome, forming a tussock to 40 cm across, producing 2-15
slender, erect, leafy, woody stems to 30 cm, covered by leaf bases. Leaves linear, spirally twisted,
50-200 x 3-5 mm, biconvex with minute grooves; margins brown, with silky, appressed hairs
pointing to the middle; base brown, scarious, glabrous. Scape 150-250 x 1-2 mm, glabrous,
reddish-green. Spathe lanceolate (longest 24-26 mm, shortest 21-22 mm), brown, glabrous;
margins scarious, almost transparent. Involucre slightly gaping; inner bracts exposed, 7-9 mm
wide. Flowers sessile, fugacious, each with a scarious bracteole, diurnal; floral tube filiform,
138
Nuytsia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990)
Figure 1.
Patersoniaspirafolia. A - Flowering branch. B - Inflorescence. C - Leaf detail. D - Flower. E - Anthers and style.
F - Petal, A-E based on type. Scale bar A,B,D = 10 mm. Scale bar C,E,F = 1 mm.
G.J. Keighery, Palersonia spirafolia
139
11-16 mm long, sparsely hairy at ovary summit, included in the bracts. Sepals free, rhomboid,
spreading, 16-19 mm x 8-14 mm, blue-violet. Petals , erect, blue-violet, c. 1 mm long; apex acute.
Stamens inserted at apex of floral tube; filaments 2-4 mm long, white, connate. Anthers connective
triangular, basifixed, yellow; 7-8 mm long, dehiscing by slits. Style filiform, narrowed towards
base, c. 10 mm long; stigmatic lobes 3, equal, flattened, free, papillose on upper surface. Ovary
pubescent. Capsule ovoid-oblong, 1.5-3 cm long. Seed not seen.
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: W of Ycrramullah Road on Cadda Road,
30° 24’ S, 115° 20’ E, GJ. Keighery 10450 (PERTH); 6 km E of Munbinea Road on Cadda Road,
30° 24’ S, 1 15° 18’ E, G.J. Keighery 10452 (PERTH); 5.5 km E of Munbinea Road on Bibby Road,
30° 28’ S, 115° 18’ E, GJ. Keighery 10457 (PERTH); Badgingarra National Park, April 1984,
GJ. Keighery s.n. (PERTH).
Notes. Occurs on low hills in and around Badgingarra National Park, along the Gardner Range.
Habitat. Grows in low, species-rich heath in sand over laterite.
Flowering period. October to November.
Discussion. Palersonia spirafolia belongs with those Western Australian species of Palersonia
which form tussocks, comprising P. inaequalis and P. drummondii. It differs from P. inaequalis in
having purple flowers and brown spalhes; it differs from P. drummondii in the short appressed hairs
on the leaf margins and the shorter spathes, which arc brown when flowering occurs.
Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the spirally twisted leaves.
Conservation status. The species has a restricted range, but is relatively common within
Badgingarra National Park.
Acknowledgements
The Banksia Woodlands Survey Group of the Western Australian Wildflower Society
rediscovered this species and stimulated the author to describe it. Bronwen Keighery assisted in
relocating the type locality.
Reference
Cooke, D.A. (1986). Iridaceae. In George, A.S. (ed.) "Flora of Australia", vol. 46, pp. 1-66. (Australian Government
Publishing Service: Canberra.)
Nuytsia 7(2): 141-159(1990)
141
New species of Olearia (Asteraceae: Astereae) endemic to Western Australia
N.S. Lander
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Conservation & Land Management,
P.O. Box 104, Como, Western Australia 6152
Abstract
Lander, N.S. New species of Olearia (Asteraceae: Astereae) endemic to Western Australia. Nuytsia 7(2): 141-159
(1990). Seven new species of Olearia are described, namely 0. eremaea Lander, 0 .fluvialis Lander, 0. incondila Lander,
O. laciniifolia Lander, O.mucronata Lander, 0 . occidentissima Lander and 0 . plucheacea Lander. All are endemic to
Western Australia. Five of them may be rare and/or endangered.
Introduction
Work in progress towards an account of Olearia Moench for the "Flora of Australia" has
revealed many new taxa. It will be some years before this project is completed. This paper
provides descriptions of seven distinctive new species in order to make their names available lor use
in the interim. All of these taxa arc endemic to Western Australia, and five of them are considered
rare and/or endangered.
It is worthy of note that O. fluvialis and O.mucronata bring the number of endemic plant
species recorded in the Fortescue District from 65 (Sandcll et al. 1988) to 67 and the number of
these restricted to the Hamersley Range National Park to 12.
Olearia eremaea Lander, sp. nov. (Figure 1)
Species nova ad Oleariam sectionem Merismotrichum pertinens; foliis sessilibus, planis,
ellipticis vel obovatis, membranaceis facile distinguitur.
Typus : Beegull [Rockhole], 93 miles [150 km] NE of Cosmo Newberry [Mission], Western
Australia, 25 August 1961, AS. George 2881 (holo: PERTH).
142
Nuylsia Vol. 7, No.2 (1990)
Figure 1. Olearia erermea. A - Habit. B - Ray floret. C - Disc floret. D - Anthers. E - Stylar arms. F - Multicellular,
uniseriate simple eglandular hair (from leaf). G - Multicellular, multiseriate capitate glandular hair (from
involucral bract). Drawn from A.S. George 2881 (holo: PERTH).
N.S. Lander, Olearia (Asteraceae: Astereae)
143
Shrub to 1.5 m high. Vestilure of vegetative surfaces with minute, sessile glandular hairs and
multicellular, uniseriate, simple eglandular hairs. Stems erect, reddish when young, becoming
brown, viscid, densely glandular and with scattered eglandular hairs. Leaves alternate, scattered,
ascending, sessile; lamina flat, elliptic or somewhat obovate, 6-16 x 2-5 mm, concolorous, pale
green, viscid; venation indistinct apart from midvein; vestiture uniformly densely glandular and
with scattered eglandular hairs; texture membranous; base narrowly cuneatc; margin serrate, fiat;
apex acute, muticous. Heads terminal, solitary, pedunculate, conspicuously radiate, 15-40 mm
diameter; disc 6-15 mm diameter. Peduncle to 18 mm long, densely glandular and with scattered
eglandular hairs, with several leaflike bracts grading into those of the involucre. Involucre
hemispheric; bracts 4-6-seriate, 3.4-8.0 x 0.6- 1.0 mm. Outer involucral bracts linear, somewhat
cymbiform; stercome green, viscid, densely glandular and with scattered eglandular hairs abaxially;
margin membranous, entire; apex narrowly acute. Inner involucral bracts linear, Hat; stereome pale
green, smooth, glabrous; margin membranous, fimbriate; apex acuminate, sometimes purplish,
fimbriate. Receptacle flat. Ray florets 13-22, biseriate, female, 10.3-18.5 mm long; lube glabrous;
limb linear or narrowly ovate, 8.2-15.3 x 2.0-2.4 mm, whiLe, glabrous, acute and minutely 2-3-lobed
apically; staminodes absent; stylar arms filiform, 1. 3-3.0 mm long. Disc florets 41-46, bisexual,
yellow, buccinate, 7.6-8.8 mm long, glabrous; lobes 5, 0.7- 1.4 mm long, acute; anthers 2.8-3. 3 mm
long, basally acute and shorter than the filament collar, will) narrowly ovale, sterile terminal
appendage; filament collar 0.5-0.7 mm long; stylar arms oblong, 1. 8-2.4 mm long, with halfconic
sterile appendages bearing botuliform collecting hairs above the stigmatic lines. Achenc narrowly
obovoid, somewhat flattened, 3.54.6 x 1.2-1. 6 mm, pale brown, sericeous with duplex hairs;
venation indistinct; carpopodium central. Pappus biseriate, with 16-25 free, minutely barbcllate
bristles more or less equal in length to the tubular florets, and an outer row of several much shorter
ones c. t as long.
Flowering period. July to August.
Distribution. Endemic to the Eremaean Botanical Province of Western Australia, occurring at
scattered localities in the Ashburton and Giles Districts between 25-29° S and 118-127° E (Figure
8).
Habitat. In shallow, stony soil on laterilic breakaways amongst open Acacia shrubland.
Conservation status. Although widely distributed, this species has been little collected, occurring
only in small populations restricted to a specific habitat; it does not appear to be endangered or
vulnerable. It thus appears to warrant the category 3R in the coding system of Leigh ct al. (1981).
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 103 miles [166 km] W ol Warburton
Mission, June 1973, A. Blomberry s.n. (NSW, PERTH); Scorpion Hill, ’Carnegie’, F M. Bennett
169 (PERTH); Robinson Range, N of Mcekalharra, J. Elkington 329 (PERTH); 124 miles [200 km]
SW of Warburton Mission, A.S. George 2974 (PERTH); Tugaila Rockholc [as "The Zoo"],
Laverton-Warburton road, A.S. George 2984 (PERTH); Beegull [Rockholc], Warburton road,
AS George 3763 (PERTH); 14 miles [22.5 km] E of Neale Junction, Great Victoria Desert,
A.S. George 8420 (PERTH); ’Carnegie’, A. Salkin 12 (PERTH).
Etymology. The specific epithet draws attention to the distribution of this taxon in the Eremaean
Botanical Province of Western Australia.
Notes. The rigid, septate eglandular hairs and the glandular hairs found on the vegetative parts of
plants of this species place it in Olearia section Merismotriche Archer ex Bcnth.
In the handbook of Grieve & Blackall (1975) specimens of this species will key variously to
O. calcarea F. Muell. ex Benth. and O. muelleri (Sondcr) Bcnth. ( O . section Adenotriche Archer ex
Benth.) O. eremaea can be distinguished from the latter two species by its leaves, which are
membranous rather than incrassate and have serrate rather than entire, dentate or lobed margins; and
by its discs, which comprise 41-46 rather than 21-30 ( O . calcarea) or 12-18 ( O . muelleri ) florets.
144
Nuytsia Vol. 7, No.2 (1990)
m m
Figure 2. Olearia fluvialis. A - Habit. B - Ray floret. C - Disc floret. D - Anthers. E - Stylar anns. F - Long intricate
r^, U ' I m ^ C l 1 “ ar rf UnlS i na n ’ u mP s? f8 la " dular hair ( from lea 0- G - Minute, multicellular brsenate’
from T b ‘ Senale ’ SlmPl£ C8 ‘ andUlar hair (fr ° m ^ n ° rel) ' ° raWn
N.S. Lander, Olearia (Asteraceae: Aslereae)
145
Olearia fluvialis Lander, sp. nov. (Figure 2)
Species nova ad Olearia seclionem Eriotrichum pertinens; foliis disperis, sessilibus, planis,
anguste ovatis, minute bullatis, integris, et capitulis hcterochromis conspicue radiatisque facile
distinguitur.
Typus: Fortescue River, Western Australia, anno 1895, W. Cussock s.n. (holo: MEL 1547238).
Shrub to 0.6 m high. Vestiture of vegetative surfaces with long, intricate, articulate,
multicellular, uniseriate, simple eglandular hairs and minute multicellular, biseriate, capitate
glandular hairs. Stems erect, smooth, subglabrous or arachnoid, pale green, striate. Leaves
alternate, scattered, ascending, sessile; lamina flat, narrowly ovate, 2.0-9.0 x 1. 0-2.0 mm,
concolorous, green, minutely bullate; venation indistinctly reticulate with prominent midvein;
vestiture uniformly subglabrous or weakly arachnoid; texture herbaceous; base rounded; margin
entire, flat; apex narrowly acute. Heads terminal, solitary, pedunculate, conspicuously radiate,
8.8-12.5 mm diameter; disc 5-8 mm diameter. Peduncle to 76 mm long, subglabrous or arachnoid,
with several lcaflike bracts grading into those of the involucre. Involucre obconic; bracts
6-7-seriate, 1. 7-9.2 x 0.9-1.3 mm. Outer involucral bracts somewhat cymbiform, narrowly
triangular or linear; stereome pale green, smooth and subglabrous or weakly arachnoid abaxially;
margin membranous, fimbriaie; apex narrowly acute or acute. Inner involucral bracts somewhat
cymbiform, linear; stereome pale green, smooth and glabrous or subglabrous with only eglandular
hairs abaxially; margin membranous, fimbriate; apex narrowly acute. Receptacle flat. Ray florets
12-14, uniseriate, female, 6.8-9.7 mm long; tube subglabrous with multicellular, biseriate, simple
eglandular hairs scattered apically; limb elliptic or ovate, 3.8-4.5 x 0.9- 1.2 mm, white or mauve,
glabrous, broadly acute or obtuse apically; staminodes absent; slylar arms filiform, 1.2-1. 8 mm
long. Disc florets c. 12, infundibular, 5.7-6.8 mm long, yellow, glabrous; lobes 5, 0.7-0.8 mm long,
acute; anthers 2.3-2.6 mm long, basally minutely sagittate and shorter than the filament collar, with
narrowly ovate, sterile terminal appendage; filament collar 0.4-0.5 mm long; stylar arms oblong,
1. 5-1.7 mm long, with narrowly halfconic, sterile terminal appendage bearing botuliform collecting
hairs above the stigmatic lines. Achene narrowly obovoid, 1 .5-2.9 x 0.5-1.0 mm, brown, densely
sericeous with duplex hairs, distinctly 6-7 ribbed; carpopodium conspicuous, central. Pappus
uniseriate, with 31-40 minutely barbellatc bristles subcqual to the tubular florets.
Flowering period. April.
Distribution. Known from only a single locality in the Hamersley Range National Park between
22-23° S and 1 18-1 19° E in the Fortescue District, Eremaean Botanical Province, Western Australia
(Figure 8).
Habitat. On iron rich alluvium.
Conservation status. Since it is restricted to a single known population, this species appears to
warrant the category 2V in the coding system of Leigh et al. (1981).
Other specimen examined. Wittenoom area [precise locality withheld], J.V. Blockley 148 (KPBG,
PERTH).
Etymology. The specific epithet draws attention to the riverine habitat favoured by this species.
Notes. The intricate, arachnoid eglandular hairs and the glandular hairs found on the vegetative
parts of plants of this species place it in Olearia section Eriotriche Archer ex Benth.
In the handbook of Grieve & Blackall (1975) specimens of this species will key (with some
difficulty) to O. propinqua S. Moore (= O. pimeleoides (DC.) Benth. sens, strict.). O. fluvialis can
be distinguished from the latter by its heads, which are conspicuously pedunculate rather than
146
Nuytsia Vol. 7, No.2 (1990)
Figure 3. Olearia incondita. A - Habit. B - Ray floret. C - Disc floret. D - Anthers. E - Long, multicellular, uniseriate,
simple eglandular hair (from leaf). F - Short, uniseriate, capitate glandular hair (from leaf). G - Multicellular,
biserate, simple eglandular hair (from disc floret). Drawn from A. M. Ashby 2855 (holo: PERTH).
N.S. Lander, Olearia (Asleraceae: Astereae)
147
subsessile; by its involucral bracts, which arc 6-7 rather than 3-5-seriate; and by its pappus, which
comprises 31-40 rather than 39-65 bristles.
Olearia incondita Lander, sp. nov. (Figure 3)
Species nova ad Oleariam sectionem Merismotrichum pertincns; foliis diminutis, dispersis,
anguste ellipticis, dense pustulatis, incrassatis, integris, revolutis facile distinguitur.
Typus: Near Morawa, Western Australia, 15 June 1969, A.M. Ashby 2855 (holo: PERTH; iso: AD).
Shrub to 1.3 m high. Vestiture of vegetative surfaces with long, multicellular, uniseriate, simple
eglandular hairs and short, uniseriate, capitate glandular hairs. Stems erect and somewhat
spreading, tomentose and brown or green when young, glabrous and dark green when older. Leaves
alternate, scattered, ascending, sessile; lamina narrowly elliptic, 4-14 x 1-3 mm, concolorous, green,
uniformly densely pustulate; venation obscure apart from midrib; vestiture weakly tomentose
abaxially, glabrous adaxially; texture incrassate; base narrowly cuneale; margin enure, revolute;
apex acute, inconspicuously mucronate. Heads terminal, solitary, subsessile with leaves grading
into the involucral bracts, conspicuously radiate, 25-35 mm diameter; disc 10-20 mm diameter.
Involucre hemispheric; bracts 4-seriate, 4.0-10.5 x 1. 5-2.0 mm. Outer involucral bracts linear or
narrowly elliptic, more or less flat; stereome uniformly while-tomeniose abaxially; margin entire;
apex acute. Inner involucral bracts linear, somewhat cymbiform; stereome green, smooth and with
an apical tomentose patch abaxially; margin membranous, fimbriate; apex acuminate, purplish.
Receptacle convex. Ray florets 7-10, uniseriate, female, 9.8-12.5 mm long; tube glabrous; limb
linear or ovate, 2.0-2.5 x 7.8-10.0 mm, white or pink, glabrous, acute and minutely 3-lobed apically;
staminodes absent; stylar arms filiform, 2. 7-3.6 mm long. Disc florets 10-24, bisexual, buccinate,
8.0-9. 5 mm long, yellow, subglabrous with multicellular, biseriate, simple eglandular hairs and
glandular hairs adaxially; lobes 5, 0.8-1.6 mm long, acute; anthers 2.5-3.0 mm long, basally acute
and shorter than the filament collar, with narrowly triangular, sterile terminal appendage; filament
collar 0.5-0.6 mm long; stylar arms oblong, with narrowly half-ovoid, sterile terminal appendages
bearing botuliform collecting hairs above the stigmatic lines. Achene narrowly obovoid, somewhat
flattened, 3.0-6.6 x 0.8-1. 0 mm, pale brown, hirsute with duplex hairs and glandular hairs,
conspicuously ribbed; carpopodium central or somewhat oblique. Pappus biseriate, with 74-102
minutely barbellate bristles more or less equal to the tubular florets, and several much shorter ones
c. as long.
Flowering period. January to April.
Distribution. Endemic to the South-West Botanical Province of Western Australia occurring in the
Avon and Roe Botanical Districts between 29-35° S and 1 16-120° E (Figure 8).
Habitat. Found on margins of playa lakes and around granite outcrops.
Conservation status. Although this species is widely distributed it has been little collected,
occurring only in small populations restricted to specific habitats in areas likely to experience
changes in land use which would threaten its survival. It thus appears to warrant the category 3V in
the coding system of Leigh et al. (1981).
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA; Princess R[oyal] Harbour, May 1868, s.leg.
(MEL); King George Sound, anno 1892, M. Cronin (MEL); 39 km N of Lake King, H. Demarz
8709 (KPBG, PERTH); Swan River, anno 1899, J. Lewele s.n. (MEL); King George Sound, s.dat.,
G. Maxwell s.n. (MEL); Golden Valley, anno 1888, E. Merral s.n. (MEL); Broomchill, April 1904,
A. Morrison s.n. (K); Bromehill, Nov. 1904, A. Morrison s.n. (PERTH); N of Avon location 24133.
30° 55’ S, 117° 22’ E, B.II. Smith 577 (CBG, MEL, PERTH); 9 km W of Dukin, 30° 57’ S, 1 17 d
52’ E, P.G. Wilson 11875 (PERTH); 15 km W of Dukin, 30° 57’ S, 117° 20’ E ,P.G. Wilson 11878
(PERTH).
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1 mm
1 mm
Figure 4. Olearia laciniifolia. A - Habit. B - Ray floret. C - Disc floret. D - Anthers. E - Stylar arms. F - Multicellular
H 1Se S ; VX? le e 8. landl ; lar halr ( f mm stem). G - Multicellular, bisenate, capitate glandular hair (from leaf)’
PERTH) 1 UU 3r ’ blSenate ’ slm P le eglandular hair (from ray floret). Drawn from A.R. Fairall 1623 (holo:
N.S. Lander, Olearia (Asteraceae: Astereae)
149
Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the rather unkempt appearance of plants of this taxon.
Notes. The densely intricate, woolly eglandular hairs and the glandular hairs found on the
vegetative parts of plants of this species place it in Olearia section Eriotriche Archer ex Benth.
In the handbook of Grieve & Blackall (1975) specimens of this species will key to
O. pimeleoides (DC.) Benth. O. incondita can be distinguished from the latter by its outer
involucral bracts, which are cymbiform rather than flat; by its disc florets, the vestiture of which
includes glandular as well as eglandular hairs; and by its pappus, which comprises 74-102 rather
than 39-65 long bristles.
Olearia laciniifolia Lander, sp. nov. (Figure 4)
Species nova ad Oleariam sectionem Merismotrichum pertinens; foliis oblongis, scleris,
laciniatis, leviter revolutis facile distinguitur.
Typus: Newdegate-Lake Grace road. Western Australia, 22 September 1964, A .R . Fairall 1623
(holo: PERTH; iso: KPBG).
Shrub to c. 1 m high. Vestiture of vegetative surfaces with long, multicellular, uniseriate, simple
eglandular hairs and minute, multicellular, biseriate, capitate glandular hairs. Stems erect, pale
yellow when young, becoming purplish, hirsute. Leaves alternate, scattered, ascending, sessile;
lamina flat, oblong, 6-35 x 1-10 mm, concolorous, grey-green, reticulate; venation indistinct apart
from the stout midvein; vestiture uniformly glandular; texture sclerous; base narrowly cuneate;
margin laciniate, weakly revolute; apex lobed. Heads terminal, solitary, pedunculate,
conspicuously radiate, 26-35 mm in diameter; disc 12-20 mm diameter. Peduncles to 25 mm long,
hirsute, with several leaflike bracts grading into those of the involucre. Involucre hemispheric;
bracts 5-seriate, 2.2-1. 5 x 0.6- 1.2 mm. Outer involucral bracts narrowly triangular, cymbiform;
stereome conspicuously vesicular along midrib and glandular abaxially; margin, narrowly
membranous, weakly fimbriate; apex acute. Inner involucral bracts linear, fiat; stereome
conspicuously vesicular along midrib and subglabrous with glandular hairs abaxially; margin entire;
apex acuminate, purplish, fimbriate. Receptacle somewhat convex. Ray florets , 35-43, 3-seriate,
female, 10.5-18.0 mm long; tube with simple multicelluar, biseriate eglandular hairs scattered
abaxially limb narrowly ovate, 8-14 x 1-2 mm, lilac, glabrous, emarginate apically; staminodes
absent; stylar arms filiform or very narrowly half-ellipsoid, 1.4-1.6 mm long. Disc florets 53-90,
bisexual, white below, yellow above, buccinate, 4. 8-6.0 mm long, subglabrous, with multicellular,
biseriate, simple eglandular hairs scattered abaxially; lobes 5, 0.1 -0.8 mm long, acute; anthers
2.2-2. 3 mm long, basally acute and shorter than the filament collar, with narrowly elliptic, sterile
terminal appendage; filament collar 0. 3-0.5 mm long; stylar arms oblong, with half-conic, sterile
terminal appendage bearing long, clavate collecting hairs above the stigmatic lines. Achene
ellipsoid, flattened, 1. 2-2.0 x 0.4-0.5 mm, pale brown, sericeous with duplex hairs; venation
indistinct; carpopodium oblique. Pappus uniseriate, with c. 20 free, minutely barbellate bristles
more or less equal in length to the tubular florets.
Flowering period. June to November.
Distribution. Endemic to the Roe District, South-West Botanical Province, Western Australia,
occurring between 33-34° S and 118-124° S (Figure 8).
Habitat. Occurs on white sand amongst mallee and Melaleuca shrubland around playa lakes.
Conservation status. Although this species is widely distributed it has been little collected,
occurring only in small populations restricted to specific habitats in an area likely to experience
changes in land use which would threaten its survival. It thus appears to warrant the category 3V in
the coding system of Leigh et al. (1981).
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Nuylsia Vol. 7, No.2 (1990)
Figure 5. Olearia mucronata. A - Habit. B - Ray floret. D - Disc floret. D - Anthers. E - Stylar arms. F - Druses (from
florets). G - Multicellular, biseriate, simple eglandular hair (from ray floret). II - Multicellular, uniseriate, simple
eglandularhair (from leaf). Drawn from McGuire IB (holo: PERTH).
N.S. Lander, Olearia (Asteraceae: Aslereae)
151
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: W of Kukerin, AM. Ashby 5235 (AD,
CHR, K, MEL, NSW, NT, PERTH); 5.5 km NE of Clyde Hill, 33° 17’ 35” S, 123° 00’ 54" E, M.A.
Burgman 1792 (PERTH); Lake King, 72 miles [1 16 km] E of Lake Grace, Nov. 1980, N. Steedman
s.n. (BM, PERTH); Lake King road, E. Wittwer 173 (KPBG, PERTH); Dowels-Lake King road, 32°
40’ S, 120° 30’ E, E. Wither 1435 (KPBG).
Etymology. The specific epithet draws attention to the narrowly lobed leaves characteristic of this
taxon.
Notes. The patent, septate eglandular hairs and the glandular hairs found on the vegetative parts of
this plant place it in Olearia section Merismotriche Archer ex Benth.
In the handbook of Grieve & Blackall (1975) specimens of this species will key (with difficulty)
to O. rudis (Benth.) F. Muell. ex Benth. O. laciniifolia can be distinguished from the latter by the
vestiture of its vegetative surfaces, which comprises glandular as well as eglandular hairs; by its
conflorescences, which are solitary-headed rather than compound corymbose; by its ray, which
comprises 35-43 rather than 39-75 florets; by its disc, which comprises 53-90 rather than 86-241
florets; and by its pappus, which comprises c. 20 long brisdes only rather than 31-42 long bristles
with 10-14 much shorter ones.
Olearia mucronata Lander, sp. nov. (Figure 5)
Species nova ad Oleariam sectionem Adenotrichum pertinens; foliis sessilibus, planis, linearibus
vel anguste obovatis, scleris, integris, mucronatis et crystallis ("druses") characteristicis in floribus
radii discique facile distinguitur.
Typus: Wittenoom area [precise locality withheld]. Western Australia, January 1972, McGuire 18
(holo: PERTH).
Shrub to 1 m high, strongly and unpleasantly aromatic. Vestiture of vegetative surfaces with
multicellular, uniseriate, simple eglandular hairs and multicellular, biseriate, capitate glandular
hairs. Stems erect, pale green when young, becoming reddish, subglabrous with eglandular hairs.
Leaves alternate, crowded, ascending, sessile; lamina flat, linear, sometimes obovate, 13-46 x 1-5
mm, concolorous, dark green, reticulate; venation with distinct midvein only; vestiture uniformly
subglabrous with eglandular hairs; texture sclerous; base attenuate; margin entire or with a few
teeth; apex acute, mucronate. Heads terminal, solitary, pedunculate, conspicuously radiate,
6.4-13.7 mm diameter; disc 1.0-1. 7 mm diameter. Peduncle to 23 mm long, subglabrous with
eglandular hairs, with several leaflike bracts grading into those of the involucre. Involucre
campanulate; bracts 5-seriate, 3.5-5.5 x 0.7- 1.0 mm. Outer involucral bracts somewhat cymbiform,
narrowly triangular; stereome yellowish, vesicular along midrib and weakly glandular abaxially;
margin narrowly membranous, minutely fimbriate; apex acuminate. Inner involucral bracts
narrowly ovate, flat; stereome pale yellowish, vesicular along midrib and glabrous abaxially;
margin broadly membranous, fimbriate; apex acute. Receptacle weakly convex. Ray florets 9-12,
uniseriate, female, 14.7-15.5 mm long; limb narrowly elliptic, 5.4-14.0 x 1.4-2.5 mm, white,
glabrous or subglabrous with multicellular, biseriate, simple eglandular hairs abaxially, obtuse and
entire or minutely 3-lobed apically; staminodes sometimes present; stylar arms filiform, 1. 8-2.4 mm
long. Disc florets 39-45, bisexual, buccinatc, 6.8-7.0 mm long, yellow, glabrous; lobes 0.9-1. 3 mm
long, narrowly acute; anthers basally acute and shorter than the filament collar, with ovate, sterile
terminal appendage, obtuse apically; filament collar c. 0.7 mm long; stylar arms filiform, with
narrowly half-ovoid, sterile terminal appendages 2.8-3.0 mm long bearing minute collecting hairs
above the stigmatic lines. Achene narrowly obovoid, somewhat flattened, 3.0-3.4 x 0.8-1.0 mm,
sericeous with duplex hairs; venation indistinct; carpopodium central. Pappus uniseriate, with
19-27 free, minutely barbellate bristles more or less equal in length to the tubular florets.
Flowering period. August to January.
152 Nuytsia Vol. 7, No.2 (1990)
Figure 6. Olearia occidentissima. A - Habit. B - Ray floret. C - Disc floret. D - Anthers. E - Stylar arms. F -
Multicellular biseriate, simple eglandular hair (from disc floret). G - Multicellular, biseriate, capitate glandular
hair (from leaf). H - Duplex hair (from ray floret). I - Multicellular, uniseriate, simple eglandular hair (from
leaf). Drawn from AS. George 1 1568 (holo: PERTH).
N.S. Lander, Olearia (Asteraceae: Astereae)
153
Distribution. Known from only two localities between 21-23° S and 117-119° E in the Fortescue
District, Eremaean Botanical Province, Western Australia (Figure 8).
Habitat. Schistose hills.
Conservation status. Since it is restricted to two populations a mere 60 km apart, this species
appears to warrant the category 2V in the coding system of Leigh et al. (1981).
Other specimens examined, [locality withheld], W.E. Blackall 435 (PERTH); [locality withheld],
C.A. Gardner 2477 (BM, K, PERTH).
Etymology. The specific epithet draws attention to the mucronate leaves characteristic of this taxon.
Notes. The glabrous vegetative parts of plants of this species (apart from the scattered eglandular
hairs on the leaves and a few glandular hairs on the stereome of the involucral bracts) place it in
Olearia section Adenotriche Archer ex Benth.
In the key of Grieve & Blackall (1975) specimens of this species key (with difficulty) to
0. stuartii (F. Muell.) F. Muell. ex Benth. ( Olearia section Merismotriche). O. mucronata can be
distinguished from 0. stuartii sens. lat. (see Lander 1989) by its outer involucral bracts, the midribs
of which are vesicular; by the ray, which comprises 9-12 rather than 21-64 florets; and by the ray
florets, which are 14.7-15.5 mm long rather than 7-11.5 mm long.
The ray florets of this species are remarkable for the scattered crystalline deposits in the cells of
the tube and limb (Figure 5F). To date I have observed such druses elsewhere in Olearia in the
tubular florets of O.ferresii (F. Muell.) F. Muell. ex Benth. which is placed in section
Merismotriche , and of O. pimeleoides var. incana D.A. Cooke, which is placed in section Eriotriche
Archer ex Benth.
Olearia occidentissima Lander, sp. nov. (Figure 6)
Species nova ad Oleariam sectionem Eriolrichum pertinens; habitu effuso, foliis petiolatis,
planis, lanatis, flaccidis, integris, revolutis et floribus radii discique pilis duplicibus distinguitur.
Typus: Dirk Hartog Island [precise locality withheld], Western Australia, 5 September 1972,
A.S. George 11568 (holo: PERTH; iso: K, NSW).
Shrub to 0.2 m high. Vestiture of vegetative surfaces with densely intricate, long, multicellular
uniseriate, simple eglandular hairs, patent, shorter, multicelluar, uniseriate, simple eglandular hairs
and multicellular, biscriate, capitate glandular hairs. Stems prostrate (wind-pruned) or erect, white
and lanate when young, becoming grey and somewhat arachnoid with waxy bark. Leaves alternate,
scattered, spreading, petiolate; lamina flat, narrowly elliptic, 6-24 x 3-6 mm, discolorous,
white-lanate abaxially, and grey-green adaxially, smooth; venation indistinct apart from the midrib;
vestiture lanate abaxially, somewhat arachnoid adaxially; texture flaccid; base narrowly cuneate;
margin entire, revolute; apex acute, + mucronate. Heads terminal, solitary, subsessile with leaves
grading into the involucral bracLs, conspicuously radiate, 25-30 mm diameter; disc 15-18 mm
diameter. Involucre hemispheric; bracts 4-seriate, 4.5-9.0 x 1. 5-2.0 mm. Outer involucral bracts
narrowly elliptic. Oat; stereome white-lanate abaxially, apically weakly arachnoid adaxially; margin
entire; apex acute. Inner involucral bracts linear or spathulate, somewhat cymbiform; stereome
pale green, basally smooth and glabrous but apically densely glandular and with scattered long,
eglandular hairs abaxially; margin broadly membranous, fimbriate; apex narrowly acute.
Receptacle somewhat convex. Ray florets 10-12, uniseriate, female, 12-18 mm long; tube white,
with duplex hairs scattered abaxially; limb obovate, 7.4-1 1.0 x 2.5-3. 5 mm, white or pink, glabrous,
obtuse and minutely 3-lobed apicaJly; staminodes absent; stylar arms filiform, 2.2-2.4 mm long.
Disc florets c. 25, bisexual, white (tinged violet), buccinate, 7.5-8.0 mm long, 5-lobcd, with
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Nuytsia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990)
multicellular, biseriatc, simple eglandular hairs and duplex hairs scattered adaxially; lobes c. 1.0
mm long, acute; anthers 2.0-2.5 mm long, basally acuminate and shorter than Lhe filament collar,
with narrowly triangular, sterile, terminal appendage; filament collar 0.4-0.6 mm long; stylar arms
oblong, 2.6-3.0 mm long, with narrowly half-conic, sterile terminal appendages bearing long,
botuliform collecting hairs above the sligmatic lines. Achene obovoid, c. 2. 5-2.8 x c. 0.8 mm,
sericeous with duplex and glandular hairs; venation indistinct; carpopodium central. Pappus
biseriate, with c. 75 free, minutely barbellate bristles equal to or subequal to the tubular florets.
Flowering period. September.
Distribution. Endemic to Dirk Hartog Island in the Carnarvon District, Eremaean Botanical
Province, Western Australia, occurring between 25-26° S and 1 12-1 13° E (Figure 8).
Habitat. In shallow sand above limestone amongst tall open heath (shrub steppe) on coastal
cliff-top.
Conservation status. This species is known only from its type locality. The ’kwongan’ vegetation
in which it occurs extends over several 100 hectares. There arc no stock in the vicinity. Extensive
searching on the adjacent mainland by me in 1986 failed to locate populations there.
The presence of O. occidenlissima on Dirk Hartog Island reinforces recent proposals to declare
the island as a National Park (Anonymous 1987). In particular, any proposal to modify vegetation
at the northern end of the island should be rejected unless further, viable populations of
O. occidentissima are located in areas free from interference.
O. occidentissima is clearly a vulnerable species, not presently endangered but possibly at risk
over a longer period. It thus appears to warrant the category IV in the coding system of Leigh et al.
(1981).
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Dirk Hartog Island Lprecise locality
withheld], B.R. Muslin 4304 (PERTH).
Etymology. The specific epithet draws attention to the fact that this species of Olearia is that with
the most westerly distribution in Australia.
Notes. The dense, intricate, multicellular, uniscriatc eglandular hairs found on the vegetative parts
of plants of this species place it in Olearia section Eriotriche.
In the handbook of Grieve & Blackall (1975) specimens of this species will key to
O . pimeleoides (DC.) Benth., to which it is probably closely related. O. occidentissima can be
distinguished from the latter by its habit, which is prostrate rather than erect; by its florets, which
bear duplex hairs abaxially; and by its pappus, which comprises c. 75 rather than 39-65 bristles.
The duplex hairs observed on the abaxial surfaces of both ray and disc florets are identical to
those found on achenes of this and most other species of Olearia. They have not been recorded on
the florets of any other species in this genus.
It is no small measure of the need for continuing taxonomic research on the Australian flora that
this distinctive species remained apparently uncollected until 1972 and hitherto undcscribcd in the
vicinity of the first recorded landing on Australian shores by a European, namely the Dutchman
Dirk Hartog in 1616 (Burbidgc & George 1978), and of the first authenticated botanical collections
by Europeans in Australia, namely those made in 1699 by William Dampicr (George 1971).
N.S. Lander, Olearia (Asteraceae: Astereae)
155
Figure 7. Olearia plucheacea. A - Habit. B - Ray floret. C - Disc floret. D - Anthers. E - Stylar arms. F - Multicellular,
uniseriate, simple eglandular hair (from leaf). G - Multicellular, biseriate, simple eglandular hairs (from leaf).
H - Multicellular, biseriate, capitate glandular hair (from leaf). I - Multicellular, uniseriate, simple eglandular
hair (from ray floret). Drawn from R J. Cranfield 6279 (holo: PERTH).
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Nuytsia Vol. 7, No.2 (1990)
Figure 8. Distribution of Olearia eremaea (+), O.fluvialis (O), 0. incondita ( 0. laciniifolia ( □ ), O. mucronata (#),
0 . occidentissima (A) and 0 . plucheacea (A), indicating occurrence in 1° x 1° squares.
N.S. Lander, Olearia (Asteraceae: Astereae)
157
Olearia plucheacea Lander, sp. nov. (Figure 7)
Species nova ad Oleariam sectionem Merisnwlrichum pertinens; foliis longis, fdiformibus vel
anguste linearibus, flaccidis, integris vel irregularitcr serrulatis vel serratis, revolutis,
conflorescentiis dense paniculatis et capitulis anguste obconicis distinguitur.
Typus: 16.5 km N of ’Meka’, 27° 17’ S, 116° 50’ E, Western Australia, 22 September 1987,
R..J. Cranfield 6279 (holo: PERTH; iso: AD, K, NSW)
Shrub to 1.5 m high. Vestiture of vegetative surfaces with minute, multicelluar, biseriate,
capitate glandular hairs, scattered, long, spreading, multicellular, uniseriate, simple eglandular hairs
and patent, short, multicellular, biseriate, simple eglandular hairs. Stems yellowish and somewhat
viscid when young, pale brown and dry when older, glandular and with scattered long eglandular
hairs. Leaves alternate, scattered, ascending, sessile; lamina incurved, flat or recurved, filiform to
narrowly linear, 12-45 x 1-5 mm, concolorous, pale green, weakly to strongly viscid; venation
obscure apart from the prominent midvein, sulcate above, raised below; vestiture uniformly weakly
to densely hirsute on lx)th surfaces with short, eglandular hairs and also with glandular and long
eglandular hairs scattered abaxially; texture flaccid; base narrowly attenuate; margin entire or
irregularly serrulate to serrate, revolute; apex acute to acuminate, mulicous. Heads many in dense,
terminal, paniculate conflorescences, pedunculate, conspicuously radiate, 9.5-13.5 mm diameter;
disc 2.5-4.5 mm diameter. Peduncles to 35 mm long, glandular and with long eglandular hairs, with
several minute leaflike bracts grading into those of the involucre. Involucre narrowly obconic;
bracts 4-seriate, 1. 7-4.5 x 1.0- 1.7 mm. Outer involucral bracts obovate, cymbiform; stereome
green, glandular and with a few short and long eglandular hairs scattered abaxially; margin
narrowly membranous, fimbriate; apex broadly acute. Inner involucral bracts elliptic, cymbiform;
stereome pale green, subglabrous with glandular and short and long eglandular hairs abaxially;
margin broadly membranous, almost entire; apex broadly acute to obtuse. Receptacle somewhat
convex. Ray florets 5-7, uniseriate, female, 5.2-7 .0 m long; tube subglabrous with multicellular,
biseriate, simple eglandular hairs abaxially; limb narrowly ovate, 1.0-1. 2 x 3. 5-4.5 mm, white,
glabrous, acute and minutely 3-lobed apically; staminodes absent; stylar arms filiform, 1.1-1. 7 mm
long, yellow, spreading supinatc. Disc florets 3-5, bisexual, buccinate, 4. 8-7.0 mm long, yellow,
glabrous, 5-lobed; lobes 1.2-1. 3 mm long, narrowly acute; anthers 2.6-2.9 mm long, basally acute
and shorter than the filament collar, with narrowly elliptic, sterile terminal appendage; filament
collar 0.3-0.4 mm long; stylar arms ligulate, 1. 3-1.6 with broadly half-conic, sterile terminal
appendages bearing long botuliform collecting hairs above the sligmatic lines. Achene narrowly
ellipsoid or obovoid, 1. 7-2.4 x 0.5-0.8 mm, pale brown, villous with duplex hairs; carpopodium
somewhat oblique. Pappus of 25-38 uniseriate, free, minutely barbellatc bristles somewhat shorter
than the tubular florets. Chromosome number , n = 9 (P.S. Short, pers. comm.).
Flowering period. August to October.
Distribution. Endemic to the Eremaean Botanical Province of Western Australia, occurring in the
Ashburton and Austin Districts, between 23-28° S and 115-1 17° E (Figure 8).
Habitat. In stony soil on sandstone breakaways amongst open low Eucalyptus/Acacia woodland or
high shrubland.
Conservation status. This species is widely distributed and has been collected in recent years at
four sites. At Mt Augustus K.R. Newbey (pers. comm.) reported 10 or so plants; at his Kennedy
Range site he encountered a single plant. P.S. Short & N.S. Lander observed scattered plants at the
summit of the Kennedy Range. At ’Meka’, R.J. Cranfield noted occasional plants. Although this
species is not currently considered endangered it may be at risk over a longer period through
continued depletion due to grazing. It thus appears to warrant the category 3V in the coding system
of Leigh et al. (1981).
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Nuytsia Vol. 7, No.2 (1990)
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Sources of the Minilya River [as
"Minilyalya"], anno 1882, J. Forrest s.n. (NSW); Mt Augustus, J.R. Cannon 122 (PERTH);
Williambury Trig, Minilya River, C.A. Gardner 6157 (PERTH); Mt Augustus, 24° 20’ S, 116° 51’
E, S.D. Hopper 3171 (K, PERTH); Mt Augustus, K.R. Newbey 1 1696 (K, NSW, PERTH); 17.5 km
W of ’Lyons River’, Kennedy Range, K.R. Newbey 11576 (AD, DNA, PERTH); Kennedy Range,
24° 10’ S, 1 18° 13’ E, PS. Short 2535 & NS. Lander (MEL, PERTH).
Etymology. The specific epithet draws attention to the fact that this taxon bears a superficial
resemblance to species of Pluchea from which it can easily be distinguished by the presence of
distinedy radiate rather than filiform tubular marginal florets.
Notes. The patent, simple, septate eglandular hairs and the glandular hairs found on the vegetative
parts of plants of this species place it in Olearia section Merismotriche.
In the handbook of Grieve & Blackall (1975) specimens of this species key to O. rudis.
O plucheacea can be distinguished from the latter by its leaves, which are narrowly linear rather
than ovate, obovate or elliptic and 1-5 rather than 6-40 mm wide; by its ray which comprises 5-7
rather than 39-75 florets; by its disc, which comprises 3-5 rather than 86-241 florets; by its achene,
which is villous rather than glabrous; and by its pappus, which lacks an outer series of short bristles.
Although the J. Forrest specimen cited above is from F. Mueller’s herbarium, I have not
encountered a duplicate at MEL. Further, this species is not amongst Mueller’s account of plant
specimens collected by Forrest during his 1882 trigonometric survey of the Gascoyne region, many
of which bear the locality "Minilyalya" (Mueller 1883).
Acknowledgements
I thank Mr J.J. Rainbird for research assistance and for preparing the illustrations, and
Mr M.I.H. Brooker for providing the Latin diagnoses.
Much vital background work towards my ongoing revision of Australian Olearia was carried
out during my assignment as Australian Botanical Liaison Officer at the Royal Botanic Gardens,
Kew, London, during 1984-5 and during subsequent visits to the National Herbarium of Victoria,
Melbourne, in 1986 and 1987. This work has been further supported by Australian Biological
Resources Study Grants in 1988 and 1989.
References
Anonymous (1987). "Shark Bay Region Plan." (State Planning Commission & Department of Conservation and Land
Management: Perth.)
Bentham, G. (1867). "Flora Australiensis.", vol. 3. (Lovell Reeve & Co.: London.)
Burbidge, A. A. & George, A.S. (1978). The flora and fauna of Dirk Hartog Island, Western Australia. J. Roy. Soc. Western
Australia 60:71-90.
George, A.S. (1971). The plants seen and collected in North-Western Australia by Williatn Dampicr. W. Austral. Naturalist
11: 173-178.
Grieve, B.J. & Blackall, W.E. (1975). "How to Know Western Australian Wildflowers." Part IV. (University of Western
Australia Press: Nedlands.)
Lander, N.S. (1989). Taxonomy of Olearia sluarlii (Asteraceae: Astereae) and allied species. Nuytsia 7: 25-35.
N.S. Lander, Olearia (Asteraceae: Astereae)
159
Leigh, J., Briggs, J. & Hartley, W. (1981). "Rare or Threatened Australian Plants.” Special Publication 7. (Australian
National Parks & Wildlife Service: Canberra.)
Mueller, F.[J.H.] (1883). The plants indigenous to Shark Bay and its vicinity. Parliamentary Papers 26. (Government
Printer: Perth.)
Sandell, P. et al. (1988). "Draft Management Plan, Hamersley Range National Park." (Department of Conservation & Land
Management: Perth.)
Turner, B.L. (1970). Chromosome numbers in the Compositae. XII. Australian species. Amer. J. Bot. 57: 382-389.
Nuytsia 7(2): 161-182(1990)
161
Taxonomic Studies of Fimbristylis (Cyperaceae) in Northern Australia
P.K. Latz
Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory, P.O. Box 1046, Alice Springs, N.T. 0871
Abstract
Latz, P.K. Taxonomic studies of Fimbristylis (Cyperaceae) in northern Australia. Nuytsia 7(2): 161-182 (1990). Die
following new species are described: Fimbristylis arnhemensis, F. blakei, F. caloptera, F. carolinii, F. composila,
F. dunlopii, F. laxiglumis, F . rupestris and F. simulans. F. alien 'd Turrill, F. oligocephala W. Fitzg. and F. stellata S. 1 .
Blake are relegated to synonymy under F.furva R. Br., F. cephalophora F. Muell and F. schultzii Boeck, respectively.
Problems with several other species are discussed. A key to Australian species is presented.
Introduction
Fimbristylis Vahl is a large world-wide genus of predominantly iropical distribution. In
Australia it is more or less restricted to northern tropical and sub-tropical areas. S.T. Blake
contributed much to our understanding of the Queensland species, so in this paper I concentrate
mostly on the more westerly members of the genus. Much more research is required on this poorly
collected but large and difficult group, especially in regard to the species occurring in Western
Australia and also in regard to its generic limits.
Description of New Species
1. Fimbristylis arnhemensis Latz, sp. nov. (Figure 1)
Fimbristylis subaristatae Benth. affinis sed nuce sine costis prominentibus, stylo glabro absque
base bulbosa, bracteis involucralibus brevioribus, et absentia spicularum disticharum basalium
differt.
Typus: Deaf Adder Gorge (13° 02’ S, 132° 57’ E), Northern Territory, 21 February 1977,
C.R. Dunlop 4333, (holo: DNA; iso: BRI, CANB n.v., NT). Sandy soil on rocky ledge on
sandstone escarpment.
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Nuytsia Vol.7, No.2 (1990)
Annual with fibrous roofs. Stems densely lufted, setaceous, angular, smooth or
hispidulous-scabrid just below the inflorescence, 2.5-16 cm x 0.25-0.4 mm. Leaves basal, c. half
the length of die stems or shorter, erect, flattened or with margin inrolled, glabrous, abruptly
terminating in an acute point, 0.4-0.7 mm wide; ligulc absent, sheaths stramineous, glabrous or with
minute fringe of hairs on the upper margin. Inflorescence simple to decompound, consisting of
(l-)2-9 spikelets; the rays up to 2 cm long. Involucral bracts 1-4, glume-like, mucronate or filiform,
to 13 mm long. Spikelets solitary, lanceolate, subterete, acute, 6-20-flowered, 4. 5-8.0 x 1.0-1. 5 mm,
rachilla broadly winged. Glumes spirally arranged, thinly membranous, erect, ovate-lanceolate,
acute, glabrous; lower glumes shortly mucronate, the mucro often slightly recurved; upper glumes
muticous, keeled, with 1 or 2 nerves on either side of central nerve, reddish brown except for the
broad hyaline margins, 2. 0-3.0 x 1 .0-1.5 mm. Stamens 2-3; anthers linear, 0.5- 1.3 mm long. Style
slender, glabrous, slightly thickened at base, 1.0-2. 5 mm long; stigmas 3, shorter than style. Nut
obtusely trigonous, obovoid, obscurely tricostulate, shortly stipitate, umbonulate, tuberculate,
stramineous, 0.5-0.8 x 0.3-0.4 mm; epidermal cells obscure.
Other specimens examined. NORTHERN TERRITORY: ESE of Mudginbcrry (12° 36’ S, 132° 58’
E), 19 Feb. 1973, C.R. Dunlop 3290 (BRI, CANB n.v., DNA, NT); Magela Creek (12° 40’ S, 133°
03’ E), 25 Feb. 1973, C.R. Dunlop 3362 (BRI, DNA, NSW n.v., NT); Deaf Adder Gorge (13° 02’ S,
132° 57’ E), 21 Feb. 1977, C.R. Dunlop 4466 (BRI, DNA, NT); Mt Brockman (12° 45’ S, 132° 53’
E), Feb. 1978, C.R. Dunlop 4680 (BRI, DNA, K n.v., NT); Arnhem Land (12° 55’ S, 135° 23’ E),
17 June 1972, P.K. Latz 3546 (BRI, DNA).
Distribution. This species appears to be restricted to the sandstone escarpments in western Arnhem
Land, Northern Territory.
Habitat. Restricted to well-watered sandy soils on upper areas of sandstone escarpments.
Affinities. Fimbristylis arnhemensis is closely related to F. subaristata but can be distinguished by
its smaller, less prominently ribbed, pale nuts, glabrous style lacking a bulbous base, shorter
involucral bracts and the absence of distichous basal spikelets.
Conservation status. Although having a restricted distribution, this species does not appear to be
rare or threatened.
Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the localised distribution of this taxa in the Arnhem Land
region.
2. Fimbristylis blakei Latz, sp. nov. (Figure 1)
Fimbristylis denudatae R. Br. affinis spicul is grandioribus multioribus squarrosis, nuce
rotundiore, glumis glandibus rubris dispersis differt; a spcciebus affinibus foliis rcductis ct glumis
valde carinatis rcccdit.
Typus: Davenport Ranges, Northern Territory, 23 Sept. 1983, P.K. Latz 9767 (holo: DNA; iso: BRI,
NSW, PERTH). Spreading perennial. Restricted to area of springs at base of quartzite cliff.
Precise locality withheld.
Glabrous perennial with short rhizome. Stems erect or spreading, densely tufted, somewhat
flattened above, striate, 8-50 cm x 0.6-1.2 mm. Cauline leaves reduced to 1-2(3) bladclcss, tubular,
obliquely truncate, cinnamomcous-margined sheaths, the uppermost up to 10 cm long; juvenile
plants with several subterete (up to 2.5 cm long) leaves which are soon lost; ligule absent.
Inflorescence simple, rarely subcompound, with (1) 3-4 (9) spikelets, up to 3 cm long. Involucral
bracts 1-2, glume-like, c. 3 mm long. Primary rays 0-6, generally erect, compressed, striate, up to
3 cm long; secondary rays when present 1-2, up to 1 cm long, rachilla broadly winged. Spikelets
solitary, narrowly ovoid, angular, acute, many-flowered, pale reddish-brown, 8-18 x 2-3 mm.
163
P.K. Lalz, Fimbristylis
Glumes spirally arranged, erect, ovate-lanceolate, densely reddish gland-dotted with minutely
ciliolate margins, prominently keeled by the thickened mid-nerve which continues to a 0.3-0. 8 mm
long recurved mucro; otherwise nerveless and thinly membranous, 3-4 x 1.3-1. 8 mm. Stamens 3;
anthers linear, 1.4- 1.5 mm, connective apically produced, bristly at the top. Style flat (rarely
triquetrous) swollen at the base, ciliate for whole length, sparsely below, 1.0- 1.6 mm long; stigmas
2(3), longer than style. Nut biconvex to trigonous, obovatc, shortly stipitatc, umbonulate,
vcrruculose, stramineous, 1.1-1. 2 x 0. 9-1.0 mm; epidermal cells inconspicuously quadrangular or
transversely oblong.
Other specimens examined (precise locality withheld). NORTHERN TERRITORY: Calvert River
30 Sept. 1986, P.K. Latz 10375 (BRI, DNA, NT).
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Ord River, 25 Oct. 1971, D. Kitchener 64 (DNA, PERTH);
Hamersley Range, 15 May 1980, M.E. Trudgen 2594 (PERTH).
Distribution. This species is only known from four widely separated locations in the Northern
Territory and Western Australia between 16° and 21° S.
Habitat. F. blakei appears to be restricted to permanently moist areas in rocky sandstone or
quartzite hills.
Affinities. This species has closest affinities with F. denudata R. Br. but it differs by the larger,
squarrosc and more numerous spikelcts, more rounded nut and red gland-dotted glumes. It can be
separated from other related species by its prominently keeled glumes and the absence of leaves.
Conservation status. Although widespread, F . blakei appears to be quite rare. Using the Leigh,
Briggs & Hartley (1981) convention, its status should be 3RC. Trampling by stock watering at the
springs at which it grows may have already reduced its numbers.
Etymology. The specific epithet honours the late Dr S.T. Blake who contributed so much towards
the taxonomy of this genus.
3. Fimbristylis caloptera Latz, sp. nov. (Figure 1)
Ex Fimbrystylis cardiocarpa F. Mucll. et speciebus affinibus nuce manifeste alata; tantum
F. pterygosperma R. Br. nuce alata affinis sed specierum australiensium proprietibus ceteris, differt.
Typus: East Alligator River (12° 32’ S, 133° 09’ E), Northern Territory, 16 February 1973
C.R Dunlop 3269 (holo: DNA; iso: AD, BRI, CANB, K, L, MEL, NT, NSW, PERTH). Lateritic
soil [on] edge [of] E[ ucalyptus] miniala forest.
Annual. Stems tufted, terete or somewhat angular, deeply grooved, scabrid, 5-26(40) cm x
0.4-0.7 mm. Leaves basal, much shorter than the stems, erect or spreading, subtercte, ciliate on
margins, 0.3-0.7 mm wide; ligule absent, sheaths with broad hyaline margins about 1 mm wide,
white above, somewhat red gland-dotted below. Inflorescence a single terminal spikelct. Spikelet
erect, lancelolate to ovoid, terete to somewhat flattened, acute, many-flowered, reddish-brown, 7-20
x 2-4 mm, rachilla narrowly winged. Glumes spiral, subchartaceous, ovale to oblong, obtuse to
somewhat acute, muticous, with single nerve slightly thickened and keeled near apex, densely red
gland-dotted and minutely appresscd-puberulous in the apical part, rarely sub-glabrous, 4. 5-6.5 x
2.0-3. 5 mm: lower 2-5 glumes shorter, empty, shortly mucronatc. Stamens 3; anthers linear, 1.5-2. 5
mm long, connective apically produced, ciliate at apex, 0.3-0. 3 mm. Style slender, compressed
triquetrous, slightly thickened and somewhat rounded at base, ciliolate in upper half but sometimes
almost glabrous, 2.8-5.0 mm long; stigmas 3, shorter than the style. Nut broadly winged, wings
deeply invaginated with ciliate, hyaline margins, 5-7 lobes on cither side, sometimes also similarly
winged on the third angle; body of nut compressed trigonous, obovoid, stipitate, not or hardly
164
Nuytsia Vol.7, No.2 (1990)
umbonulate, stramineous or whitish, 3. 0-4. 5 x 2. 5-4.0 mm (including wings); epidermal cells
isodiametric in vertical rows.
Other specimens examined. NORTHERN TERRITORY: 16 miles [24 km] NE of Katherine (14°
18’ S, 132° 05’ E), 25 March 1974, N. Forrester 69 (DNA); Gunn Point (12° 09’ S, 130° 58’ E), 7
May 1973,7. McKean 1101 (CANB n.v„ DNA); 0.5 miles [0.8 km] NW of Edith River Siding (14°
1 1 ’ S, 132° 01 ’ E), 30 Jan. 1965, 1.B. Wilson 211 (CANB n.v., DNA).
Distribution. This species appears to be restricted to an area east and south-east of Darwin,
Northern Territory.
Habitat. Either occurring in lateritic or granitic, gravelly soils.
Affinities. The only other Australian species which has similarly winged nuts is F. pterygosperma
R. Br. but it is quite different in other parts. F. caloptera is related to F . cardiocarpa F. Muell. and
its allies, all of which have wingless nuts.
Conservation status. Unknown, but probably not particularly rare.
Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the attractive wings bordering the nut.
4. Fimbristylis carolinii Latz, sp. nov. (Figure 1)
Species nova spiculis grandibus multifloribus notabilis; Fimbristylis pterygosperma R. Br.
aemulans nuce exalata, foliis cquitantibus, basi styli incrassata pyramidali et partibus omnibus
grandioribus differt.
Typus: N of Maggieville on Myravale road , Queensland, 20 April 1974, R.C. Carolin 8773, (holo:
DNA; iso: NSW). Box woodland. Sandy loam. Precise locality withheld.
Glabrous annual. Stems densely tufted, erect, somewhat Battened below, becoming terete
above, sulcate, 30-55 cm x 1.0-1. 8 mm, the base clothed with laterally compressed, acuminate or
shortly laminate, up to 11 cm long sheaths. Leaves much shorter than the stems, strongly laterally
compressed, equitant, striate, without prominant mid-nerve, about 1-2 mm wide; ligule absent.
Inflorescence consisting of a single terminal spikelet. Spikelet erect, cbractcate, broadly ovoid to
obovoid, obtuse, very densely many-flowered, stramineous 10-25 x 6-8 mm; rhachilla winged.
Glumes spiral, closely imbricate, membranous, oblong-ovate or oblong, obtuse with rounded apex,
muticous, concave, 3-nerved, 4.0-4. 5 x 3 mm. Stamens 3; anthers linear, 2-3 mm long. Style
triquetrous, pyramidally thickened at base, long hyaline-fimbriate on upper 1/4 otherwise glabrous,
3-4 mm long; stigmas 3, shorter than the style. Nut trigonous, turbinate, abruptly narrowed in lower
half, with 3 ridges just above the small stipe, rugulose, umbonulate, greyish-white or
greyish-brown, 1 .3-1.5 x 1.0-1. 3 mm, epidermal cells hexagonal.
Distribution. F. carolinii is presently only known from the type location near the Gulf of
Carpentaria, Queensland.
Habitat. See Typus above.
Affinities. This species is similar to F. pterygosperma R. Br. but it lacks the winged nut (although
this is also sometimes absent in depauperate F. pterygosperma specimens), is larger in all parts, has
equitant leaves and a different style. The large, many-flowered spikelets are unique in Australian
species of Fimbristylis.
P.K. Latz, Fimbrislylis
165
Conservation status. Not known, but probably rare, so under the Leigh, Briggs & Hartley (1981)
convention its status should be IK.
Etymology. The specific epithet honours Prof R.C. Carolin, who collected the only known
specimen and who has contributed much towards our knowledge of the Australian Flora.
5. Fimbristylis composita Latz, sp. nov. (Figure 1)
Affinis arte Fimbrislylis arthrostyloides W. Fitzg. sed partibus omnibus parvioribus et spiculis
plus differt, F. thouarsii (Kunth) Merr. aemulans sed glumis spiralibus, nucibus grandioribus, stylo
longiorc et bracteis involucralibus latioribus recedit.
Typus: Radon Creek area, 12 km S of Jabiru (12° 45’ S, 132° 54’ E), Northern Territory, 10 June
1978, P.K. Latz 7686 (holo: DNA; iso: NT). Erect perennial. Often dominant, in sand with
Eriachne triseta.
Leafless perennial with short rhizome, roots woolly-tomcntose. Stems densely tufted, terete but
deeply grooved, densely scabrid to smooLh, (10) 77-155 cm x (0.35) 0.5-1.5 mm; at first erect then
drooping. Leaves reduced to 2-3 bladelcss sheaths, the lower ones terminating in a short mucro, the
upper with hyaline margins for c. 1 cm before terminating in a short mucro c. 0.2 mm long, often
several short, broad stramineous bracts present at base. Inflorescence capitate, depressed globular or
hemispherical with (6) 20-50 spikelels, up to 1 cm in diameter but sometimes much reduced (rarely
to a single fully developed spikeiel). Involucral bracts numerous, 10-40, up to 8mm long, scabrid,
the outer 2 flattened (0.2-0.3 mm broad), the inner ones becoming setaceous. Spikelets sessile,
eventually falling off as a whole, somewhat compressed, acute, apparently consistently 1 -flowered,
4. 5- 5. 5 mm long, c. 1 mm wide. Glumes 5(6), spirally arranged, lanceolate, with 3-nerved keel and
nerveless hyaline margin, at first green on the keel and white on the margin; eventually stramineous
or light-brown, the lowest 3 awned, scabrid above, the 2 uppermost acute and mostly glabrous.
Glume 1 (the lowest); 2.5-3.6 mm long, c. 0.5 mm wide, tapering into a 1.0- 1.6 mm long awn,
scabrid on upper half. Glume 2; 3.0-3.6 mm long, c. 1.0 mm wide, tapering into a 1.2 mm long
awn, scabrid on upper 1/3. Glume 3\ 3.5-4. 5 mm long, c. 1.5 mm broad, with a 1 mm long awn,
scabrid on upper half. Glume 4\ 4-5 mm x 1.5-2.2 mm, acute. Glume 5 (fertile glume); 3.5-4.5 x
1 .5- 2.0 mm, acute; this and glume 4 with minutely ciliolate margins or glabrous. Stamens 3, anthers
linear with 0.5-0.7 mm long glabrous terminal point, 3.0-3. 5 mm long and c. 0.3 mm wide. Style
triquetrous, thickened at base, shortly ciliatc on upper half, 4-6 mm long, stigmas 3, ciliolate, about
half the length of the style. Nut obtusely trigonous or almost rounded, ellipsoid or obovoid,
conspicuously stipitate, scarcely umbonulatc, rugulosc, pale-brown to silvery-grey, 1.8-3. 0 by
1.0- 1.2 mm including the 0.5-0.7 mm long stipe, which is brown to yellow-brown.
Selected specimens from 21 collections examined. NORTHERN TERRITORY: Katherine Gorge
(14" 19’ S, 132 u 25’ E), 13 Oct. 1946, S.T. Blake 17212 (BRI, DNA); Adelaide River (13° 20’ S,
131 05’ E), 26 Jan. 1972, N. Byrnes 2476 (CANB n.v., DNA, NT); 44 km SE of Ocnpclli (12 ff 34’
S, 133 u 23’ E), 15 June 1978, P.K. Latz 7797 (DNA, NT); Edith Falls (14 ff 11’ S, 132° 11’ E) 18
June 1978, P.K. Latz 7814 (DNA, NSW); U.D.P. Falls (13 7) 30’ S, 123° 30’ E), 18 Sept. 1984,
P.K. Latz 9950 (DNA, NSW); Nourlangic Rock (12° 57’ S, 132° 50’ E), 3 May 1972, R. Schodde
AE 33 (CANB n.v., DNA, NT).
Distribution and habitat. F. composita is restricted to sandstone ranges east and south-east of
Darwin, Northern Territory.
Affinities. This species is similar to F. thouarsii (Kunth) Merr. but differs by its spiral glumes,
larger nuts, longer style and broader involucral bracts. It is probably more closely related to
F. arthrostyloides W. Fitz. which is bigger in all parts and has fewer spikelets in the inflorescence.
(All three species may be better placed in Aclinoschoenus Bcnth).
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Nuytsia Vol.7, No.2 (1990)
Conservation status. Although F. composita is restricted in distribution, it appears not to be rare or
threatened.
Etymology. The specific eptihet refers to the composite inflorescence.
6. Fimbristylis dunlopii Latz, sp. nov. (Figure 1)
Fimbristylis rectae F. Bail, affinis sed plerumque spiculis numerosioribus, glumis parvioribus,
nuc pyiformi,basi slyli bulbosa differt; a F. neilsonii F. Muell. spiculis paucioribus, vaginis foliorum
sine marginbus latis hyalinis dislinguitur.
Typus: Tabletop Range, Northern Territory, 19 May 1985, C.R. Dunlop 6782 (holo: DNA; iso:
NSW). Annual in white sand in seasonally wet area. Precise locality withheld.
Annual. Stems erect, somewhat flattened, sulcate, minutely and densely scabrid above,
becoming glabrous below, 7-57 cm x 0.5- 1.0 mm. Leaves shorter than the stems, rather rigid, flat,
8-12-nerved, abruptly terminating into a blunt apex, glabrous but scabrid on margins, up to 23 cm
long and (1-) 2-4 mm wide, sheaths with somewhat hyaline margins, gradually narrowing onto the
leaf blade, hairy on margins above; upper sheaths up to 12.5 cm long, lower sometimes reduced to
bracts; ligule absent. Inflorescence consisting of (1-) 2-3 spikclcts, the rays when present 1.8-2. 5
mm long. Involucral bracts glume-like, c. 8 mm long. Spikelets solitary, erect, ovoid, somewhat
acute, many-flowered, pale-brown, 8-12 x 3. 5-5.0 mm; rachilla winged. Glumes spiral,
membranous, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, with long-ciliate margins, reddish gland-dotted in
upper half, 9-1 1 -nerved, 5.0-5.5 x 2.5-3.0 mm, central nerve thickened, greenish, terminating below
upper margin, bordered on both sides by a yellowish stripe. Stamens 3; anthers linear, 2.5-3.0 mm
long. Style triquetrous, slender but abruptly thickened into the bulbous base, glabrous, becoming
twisted, 3.5-4.0 mm long, stigmas 3, about as long as the style. Nut trigonous, pyriform, truncate,
abruptly narrowed in lower half, shortly stipitate, umbonulate, tuberculate in upper half, white,
1.5-1. 8 x 1.3-1. 5 mm; epidermal cells obscure.
Other specimens examined (precise localities withcld). NORTHERN TERRITORY: Darwin area,
11 Feb. 1961, H.S. McKee 8383 (CANB n.v., DNA); near Daly River road, 4 Jan. 1964,
C.S. RobinsonRIOl (DNA); Cox’s Peninsula, 27 March 1948, R.L. Specht 62 (BRI, DNA).
Distribution. This species is only known from four collections in the Darwin region of the Northern
Territory.
Habitat. Either occurring in moist sandy or skeletal lateritic soils, in Eucalyptus open-forest.
Affinities. F. dunlopii has affinities with F. recta F. Bail, but can be readily separated by the fact
that it rarely has solitary spikelets, and by its smaller glumes, pyriform nut (unequally trigonous in
F. recta ) and bulbous style base. F. dunlopii also has some affinities to F. neilsoni F. Muell. but
can be easily separated by the fewer spikelets and the absence of wide hyaline margins on the leaf
sheaths.
Conservation status. Unknown, but probably rare.
Etymology. The specific epithet honours Mr Clyde R. Dunlop, whose collections have contributed
much to further our understanding of this difficult genus.
P.K. Latz, Fimbristylis
167
7. Fimbristylis laxiglumis Latz, sp. nov. (Figure 2)
Ab affinibus Fimbristylis solidifolia F. Muell. et F. clavata S.T. Blake sed partibus omnibus
gradioribus, foliis pubescentioribus, glumis marginibus ciliatis distinguenda; a F. corynocarya F.
Muell. glumis obtusis, nuce laevi, folius eligulatis distinguenda.
Typus: Near Dunmarra Roadhouse, Northern Territory, 20 June 1974, P.K. Latz 5484 (holo: DNA;
iso: BR1, L, NT, PERTFI). Erect annual. Quite rare in grey cracking clay, Eucalyptus microtheca
grassland. Precise locality withheld.
Annual. Stems densely tufted, erect, deeply grooved, 4-5-angular, with numerous short fine
hairs (especially above), 10-80 cm x 1-4 mm; the base cloLhcd with broad, papery leaf-sheaths.
Leaves less than half the length of the stems, somewhat rigid, flat or incurved, striate, acuminate,
densely hairy below, less so above, c. 3.0-3.5 mm wide; no ligule. Inflorescence compound or
decompound, rather dense with (2) 5-numerous spikclets, about 6 cm long and wide. Involucral
bracts 3-5, the lowest shorter than the inflorescence. Primary rays several, erecto-patent, grooved,
densely hairy, up to 5.5 cm long. Spikelets solitary, broadly ovoid, ragged below, obtuse,
many-flowered, 9-25 x 5-7 mm; rachilla winged. Glumes spiral, chartaceous, becoming reflexed
before falling and giving the spikclcl a ragged appearance, oblong-ovate, obtuse, muticous or
shortly and bluntly mucronulate, 3.6-4.0 x 2.0-3.0 mm, with strong mid-nerve bordered on both
sides by a yellowish stripe, ferrugineous or brownish sides and densely ciliate margins. Stamens 3;
anthers linear, 2.0-2.5 mm long. Style triquetrous, slightly thickened at base, sparsely ciliolate,
2. 0-2. 5 mm long; stigmas 3, about as long as the style. Nut obtusely trigonous, narrowly clavate,
shortly stipitate, umbonulate, smooth or sparsely vcrruculose, usually white, 1.0-1. 3 x 0.4-0.6 mm;
epidermal cells transversely linear.
Other specimens examined (precise localities withheld). NORTHERN TERRITORY: NE of Roper
River Mission, May 1921, MS. Tindale s.n. (DNA, NSW n.v.).
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Kimberley Research Station, 13 April 1963, P.J. Rijn s.n. (DNA).
Distribution. F. laxiglumis apparently occurs occasionally in the Northern Territory and Western
Australia between 14° 30’ S and 17° S.
Habitat. This species appear to grow only in cracking grey clays, near water.
Affinities. F. laxiglumis is related to both F. solidifolia F. Muell. and F. clavata S.T. Blake but is
larger in all parts, has more hairs on its leaves and ciliate glume fringes. It differs from
F. corynocarya by its obtuse glumes, smooth nut and absence of a ligule.
Conservation status. Although widespread, F . laxiglumis appears to be rare. Trampling by stock
watering at the water bodies on the edge of which it occurs may be affecting its continued existence.
Using the Leigh, Briggs & Hartley (1981) convention its status should be 3R.
Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the ragged appearance of the mature spikelets caused by
the reflexed glumes.
8. Fimbristylis rupestris Latz, sp. nov. (Figure 2)
Ex Fimbristylis trachycarya F. Muell. et specierum affinium, habitu parvo annuo, ligula
deficienti, inflorescentia simplici, glumis emarginatis, marginibus distalibus ciliatis glumarum, stylo
glabro, nuc subglobosa cellulis epidermidis quinquangularis isodiametris distinguenda.
Typus : Mitchell River (14° 50’ S, 125° 42’ E), Western Australia, 23 Feb. 1980, C.R. Dunlop 5265,
(holo: DNA; iso: NT, PERTH). In shallow, sandy seepage on sandstone pavement.
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Nuytsia Vol.7,No.2 (1990)
Erect annual. Stems rigid, somewhat flattened, deeply grooved, glabrous, 8-17 cm x 0. 3-0.7
mm. Leaves basal, about half the length of the stems, somewhat recurved, flattened or with margins
inrollcd, ciliatc on margins or glabrous, 5-7-nerved above, gradually narrowing to an acute apex,
3-8 cm x 0.6-1.5 mm; ligule absent; sheaths glabrous, many-nerved with wide hyaline margins, up
to 3.5 cm long, rarely reduced to bracts. Inflorescence simple with (1) 2-5 spikclets, 2-5 cm long.
Involucral bracts 1-5 with narrow hyaline margins, ciliate on upper margins or glabrous, up to 1.5
cm long; rays spreading, similar to stems. Spikelets solitary, erect, narrowly ovoid, angular, acute,
5-25-flowered, reddish-brown, 5-10 x 2.-5 mm; rachilla winged. Glumes spirally arranged, erect,
broadly ovate, shortly cmarginate, margins membranous, red gland-dotted, forming 2 apical lobes,
ciliatc in the upper half; 1.8-2. 5 x 1.5- 1.8 mm, reddish-brown except for greenish central nerve,
which is thickened above to continue into a short recurved muero and is bordered on both sides by a
yellowish snipe; lower 2 glumes long mucronate. Stamens (2)3; anthers linear, 0.7- 1.0 mm long.
Style trigonous, distinctly swollen at the base, glabrous, 0. 9-1.2 mm long; stigmas 3, about as long
as the style. Nut trigonous, obovate, shortly stipitate, umbonulate, sparsely verruculosc, dark
brown, 0.8-1. 2 x 0.8-1. 0 mm, epidermal cells isodiametrically pentagonal.
Other specimens examined. NORTHERN TERRITORY: Cox River Station, Tanumbirini Creek
(16° OH S 134° 47’ E), 11 July 1977, P.K. Latz 7855 (DNA); Echo Gorge area, Wollogorang
Station (17° 12’ S, 137° 42’ E), 9 June 1987, P.K. Latz 10500 (BRI, DNA, NSW, PERTH).
Distribution. F. rupestris is presently only known from three locations in the drier tropical areas of
Western Australia and the Northern Territory between 14° 30’ S and 17° 30’ S.
Habitat. This species appears to be restricted to skeletal soil on quartzite or sandstone ranges.
Affinities. F. rupestris is closely related to F. trachycarya F. Muell. and its allies, but it can be
separated by the combination of certain characters; namely being a small annual with eligulate
leaves, and having a simple inflorescence and cmarginate glumes which arc ciliate on the upper
margins. It has a glabrous style and a subglobular nut with isodiametrically pentagonal epidermal
cells.
Conservation status. There is no reason to suspect that F. rupestris is either rare or threatened; the
lack of collections is probably due to the paucity of botanical collections in the area in which it
occurs and its resemblance to other, more common, members of this genus.
Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the preference of this species for a rocky habitat.
9. Fimbristylis simulans Latz, sp. nov. (Figure 2)
Ex Fimbristylis cardiocarpa F. Muell. et specierum affinium marginibus lads hyalinis foliorum
vaginarum, foliis glabris, nervo centrali glumarum fertilium mucroni procurrenti, nuce obovoidea
distinguenda.
Typus: Coodna Waterhole (19° 18’ S, 134° 14’ E), Phillip Creek Station, Northern Territory, 1 June
1975, P.K. Latz 6015 (holo: DNA; iso: BRI, L, NT). Erect annual. Infrequent in skeletal soil,
recently burnt outcrop; Triodia pungens and Eucalyptus leucophloia open-woodland.
Annual. Stems weak, densely tufted, terete, sulcate, glabrous (rarely sparsely scabrid),
few-leaved at the base, 17-30 cm by 0.3-0.6 mm but often reduced and as little as 1 cm tall. Leaves
the length of the stems or less, at first somewhat flattened by soon becoming inrollcd and terete,
scabrid on rmtrgins (rarely glabrous), strongly nerved, 0. 3-0.6 mm wide; sheaths with wide hyaline
margins, wider than central portion of sheath in upper part, abruptly terminated; ligule absent.
Inflorescence a single terminal spikelet. Spikelets erect, lanceolate, obovoid, terete, acute, densely
many-flowered, pale reddish-brown, 7-27 x 2-4 mm; rachilla winged. Glumes spirally arranged,
thinly membranous, erect, ovate-lanceolate, acute, mucronate, not or indistinctly keeled, with single
P.K. Latz, Fimbristylis
169
central nerve and microscopically ciliolate margins at the apex, densely reddish gland-dotted,
4. 5-6.0 x 1.7-2. 2 mm. Stamens 3; anthers linear 2. 5-3.0 mm long. Style slender, glabrous 2. 5-4.0
mm; base bulbous; stigmas 3, much shorter than the style, sparsely ciliolate. Nut trigonous,
tricostate, with somewhat convex sides, obovoid to turbinate, shortly stipitate, umbonulate,
tuberculate on upper halt, shining black at maturity, 1.2-1. 5 x 1.2-1. 4 mm; epidermal cells obscure,
oblong to hexagonal in vertical rows.
Selected specimens from 15 collections examined. NORTHERN TERRITORY: Negri River area
(17° 10’ S, 129° 15’ E), 4 May 1974, C.R. Dunlop 41 10 (DNA, NT); Tanami Desert (20° 1 1’ S,
129° 43’ E), 3 July 1980, P.K. Latz 8399 (AD, CANB, DNA, MEL, NSW, PERTH); Frankema
Rise, 9 km W of Rabbit Flat (20° 10’ S 129° 53’ E), 5 July 1983, P.K. Latz 9570 (BRI, DNA, K,
NSW).
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 33 miles [53 km] S of Sturt Creek Homstead (19° 39’ S, 128° 12’
E), 20 July 1973, P.K. Latz 4032 (BRI, CANB, DNA, PERTH); above Dales Gorge, Hamersley
Ranges National Park (22° 20’ S, 118° 35’ E), 8 Aug. 1974, A.C. Beauglehole 48607 (DNA,
PERTH); 6.5 km NE of Mary River Crossing, Great Northern Highway (18° 41 ’ S, 126° 42’ E), 19
June 1976, A.C. Beauglehole 43249 (DNA, PERTH); White Mountain Hills, near Ord River
Station, East Kimberley (17° 16’ S, 128° 58’ E), 20 April 1977, R. Pullen n.v. (CANB n.v., DNA).
Distribution. F. simulans occurs over a wide area of the semi-arid zone of the Northern Territory
and Western Australia between 17° and 22° S.
Habitat. This species mostly occurs on gravelly slopes dominated by Triodia spp. and Eucalyptus
brevifolia or E. leucophloia. It appears to be most common the first year after fire.
Affinities. F. simulans is closely related to F. cardiocarpa F. Muell. and its allies but it is
characterized by its wide, hyaline, leaf-sheath margins, its glabrous leaves (± scabrid on the
margins), its fertile glumes with a single central nerve which is produced into a distinct mucro, and
its dark obovoid nut.
Conservation status. Not considered rare or endangered.
Etymology. The specific epithet refers to its similarity to the other plants in this difficult group of
species with solitary, gland-dotted spikelets.
Comments on other Species
Fimbristylis cephalophora F. Muell., Fragm. 1: 196 (1859). Type : Upper Victoria River, Northern
Territory,/ 7 . Mueller s.n. (holo: MEL n.v.; iso: BRI, KEW n.v.).
F. oligocephala Fitzg., Roy. Soc. Western Australia 3: 120 (1918). Type : Packhorse Range,
Western Australia, W.V. Fitzgerald s.n. (holo: PERTH).
Blake (1969, 7-10) clarified the confusion that occurs between F.furva R. Br., F. capitata R. Br.
and F. cephalophora in Bentham (1878). In his description of F. oligocephala , Fitzgerald did not
provide features that distinguish it from other species. Having examined type material of both of
the above species, I am of the opinion that F. oligocephala should be considered conspecific with
F . cephalophora.
Fimbristylis furva R. Br., Prodr. 228 (1810) Type : Booby Island and Endeavour River,
Queensland, J. Banks & D. Solander s.n. (holo: BM, fragment n.v. and photo BRI; iso: BRI, MEL
n.v.).
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Nuytsia Vol.7, No.2 (1990)
Figure 1 . A - B F imbristylis arnhemensis (drawn from C.R. Dunlop 4333). A - Glume. B - Style. C - Nut. D-GF. blakei
(drawn from PK Latz 9767). D - Glume. E - Style. F - Nut. H - J F. caloptera (drawn from CR. Dunlop 3269).
H - Glume. I - Style. J - Nut. K - M F. carolinii (drawn from R C. Carolin 8773). K - Glume. L - Style. M - Nut.
N - P F. composita (drawn from P.K. Latz 7686). N - Glume-4. O - Style. P - Nut. Q - S F. dunlopii (drawn from
R.L. Specht 62). Q - Glume. R - Style. S - Nut.
P.K. Latz, Fimbristylis
171
F. allenii Turrill, Kew Royal Bot. Gdns. Bull. Misc. Inf. (1915) 1 17. Type : near Darwin, Northern
Territory, C.E.F. Allen 170 (holo: K; iso: NSW).
F.furva is a variable species (Blake 1969). After examination of the type material of both of
these species, I consider that F. allenii falls well within the range of variation and should be
considered conspecific with F.furva.
Fimbristylis schulzii Boeck. Linnaea 38 (1874) 391.
F. stellata S.T. Blake, Proc. Roy. Soc. Qld. 58(2): 46 (1947). Type', c. 50 miles NW of Munyana,
Queensland, S.T. Blake 17241 (holo: BRI).
In his description of F. stellata Blake (1947) gave what appears to be valid differences between
it and F. schultzii (but see also Kern 1974: 559-10). On close examination of a large number of
collections I have, however, found numerous intermediates and must therefore consider these two
species to be conspecific.
Figure 2. A - C Fimbristylis laxiglwnis (drawn from P.K. Latz 5484). A - Glume. B - Style. C - Nut. D - F. rupestris
(drawn from CJt. Dunlop 5265). D - Glume. E - Style. F-Nut. G - 1 F. simulans (drawn from P.K. Latz 6015)
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Nuytsia Vol.7, No.2 (1990)
Key to Fimbristylis in Australia
A draft key to all the Australian species of Fimbristylis has been prepared and is now presented.
Twelve taxa of uncertain affinities arc included in the key. Several of these may be better
placed in Actinoschoenus Benth. or Trachystylis S.T. Blake (or even a new genus) but arc placed in
Fimbristylis for convenience, at this stage. Further collections and research arc required to clarify
the situation.
I have excluded Fimbristylis rhyticarya F. Muell. in the key as I agree with Kern (1974) dial it
should be relegated to synonymy under F. acuminata Vahl.
la. Glumes spirally arranged 2
b. Glumes (at least in young spikelets) distichous; sometimes becoming twisted
with age. Spikelets strongly laterally compressed, similar to those in Cyperus 1 14
2a. Nut sub-cylindrical, oblong-linear in outline 3
b. Nut not oblong-linear in outline 4
3a. Inflorescence a single terminal spikelet, glumes obtuse, 3-5 mm long F. tetragona
b. Inflorescence compound, glumes mucronatc, 1-2 mm long F. dipsacea
4a. Stigmas 3, nut trigonous or triquetrous 5
b. Stigmas 2, nut biconvex 82
5a. Spikelets solitary on the stem 6
b. Spikelets more than one on each stem 28
6a. Nut winged 7
b. Nut not winged (sometimes with an apical ridge) 8
7a. Wing rounded, glumes obovate F pterygosperma
b. Wing divided, glumes lanceolate 3. F. caloptera
8a. Nut with transverse wavy ridges (sometimes obscure in F. punctata) 9
b. Nut smooth or tuberculate, wavy ridges absent, or restricted to lower third of nut 1 1
9a. Spikelets 1-2 flowered, nut 2.5-3 mm long F. sp. A
b. Spikelets many flowered, nut less than 2.5 mm long 10
10a. Style glabrous 1 mm long, glumes glabrous, 2. 5-3. 5 mm long F. ammobia
b. Style hairy 2 mm long or more, glumes softly hairy above, 5-6 mm long .... F. punctata
1 la. Spikelets oblique or at right angles to the stem 12
b. Spikelets exactly terminal (except F. trigastrocarya where the spikelet
is sometimes pushed to one side by the involucral bract) 14
12a. Glume with two terminal wings, glabrous F. costiglumis
b. Glume apices rounded, with ciliate margins 13
Nuytsia 7(2): 161-182(1990)
173
13a. Glumes less than 3 mm long, leaves glabrous, (except for ciliate margins),
nut less than 1.2 mm long; in sandy soils F. densa
b. Glumes greater than 3 mm long, leaves hairy (often sparsely),
nut greater than 1.2 mm long; in gravelly soils F. xyridis
14a. Glumes with ciliate margins (sometimes obscure),
conspicuously red gland-dotted, leafy plants with glabrous styles 15
b. Glumes glabrous, not or inconspicuously gland-dotted, leafy or leafless,
styles glabrous or hairy 23
15a. Leaves flat, 2-4 mm wide, glumes greater than 4.5 mm long with thickened
raised mid-nerve, nut pale 16
b. Leaves incurved or terete, less than 2 mm wide,
other characters not combined 17
16a. Nut pyriform, style with large bulbous base 6. F. dunlopii
b. Nut unequally trigonous, style with tapering base F. recta
17a. Mature nuts white or pale brown, glumes obtuse with a
conspicuous yellowish stripe on either side of the central nerve 18
b. Mature nuts brown or black, glumes acute, central nerve only conspicuous 20
18a. Glumes greater than 3 mm long, stems with fine stiff hairs,
nut 0.9- 1.4 mm long, somewhat flattened on back F. sp. B
b. Glumes less than 3 mm long, stem scabrid, nut less than 0.9 mm long,
somewhat rounded on back 19
19a. Nut sub-globular, glumes densely overlapping, spikelels obtuse,
style only slightly twisted at maturity F. sphaecocephala
b. Nut obovoid, constricted just below middle, glumes less dense,
spikclct acute, style strongly twisted at maturity F . trigastrocarya
20a. Fertile glumes mucronate, nerve tip extending well past glume margin,
leaf sheaths with wide conspicuous hyaline margins, leaves scabrid on
margins or smooth 9. F. simulans
b. Fertile glumes acute, nerve tip not extending past glume margin,
if leaf sheaths with wide conspicuous hyaline margins then leaves hairy 21
21a. Nut 3-lobed, sub-globular, foliage densely scabrid F. leucocolea
b. Nut not 3-lobed, flattened on back, foliage sparsely scabrid 22
22a. Glumes greater than 4.7 mm long, nut broadly ovate to cuneate,
usually tuberculate, epidermal cells hexagon^ or isodiamctric F. cardiocarpa
b. Glumes less than 4.7 mm long, nut obovate, smooth, epidermal cells
conspicuously transversely oblong in vertical rows on each face F. sp. C
23a. Nut abruptly constricted above base, style either with hyaline margin or
dense tuft of hairs in upper portion, spikclets generally greater than 5 mm wide 24
b. Nut gradually narrowed below, style glabrous or sparsely ciliate,
spikelets less than 5 mm wide 25
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Nuytsia Vol.7, No.2 (1990)
24a. Nut about as wide as broad, style greater than 2.7 mm long,
leaves equitant 4. F. carolinii
b. Nut flattened, style less than 2.7 mm long, leaves not equitant F. pterygosperma
25a. Glumes acute, usually greater than 3 mm long, lowest
(empty) glume more than half as long as spikelet 26
b. Glumes obtuse, usually less than 3 mm long, lowest glume
less than half the length of the spikelet 27
26a. Style 3-5 mm long, leaf sheaths disintegrating into fine
reticulate (herring bone) fibres, glumes 1 nerved F . dictyocolea
b. Style 1 .5-3 mm long, leaf sheaths not as above,
glumes obscurely several nerved F. pauciflora
27a. Stamens 3, glumes greater than 2 mm long, perennial F. simplex
b. Stamens 1 (-2), glumes less than 2 mm long, annual F. modesta
28a. Spikelets all, or majority, solitary 29
b. Spikelets all, or majority, clustered (in a composite head, or heads) 71
29a. Mature spikelets greater than 3.8 mm wide 30
b. Mature spikelets less than 3.8 mm wide 37
30a. Style glabrous, upper stems scabrid 31
b. Style hairy, upper stems glabrous or clothed with fine dense hairs 33
31a. Style less than 2.5 mm long, nut not tuberculate
(its cells transversely lineolate), glumes less than 3.5 mm long F. clavata
b. Style greater than 2.5 mm long, mature nut tuberculate,
glumes greater than 3.5 mm long 32
32a. Glume fringes long-ciliolate, spikelets generally less than
4 per head, leaves smooth, sheaths without wide hyaline margins 6. F. dunlopii
b. Glumes fringes shordy ciliolate or glabrous, spikelets generally
more than 4 per head, leaves scabrid with wide hyaline margins F. neilsonii
33a. Glume fringes ciliolate whole length, involucral bracts hairy 34
b. Glume fringes glabrous or ciliolate on upper margins,
involucral bracts glabrous or with ciliate margins 35
34a. Glume with nerve continuing past lip which is usually reflexed,
mature nut tuberculate, distinct ligule present F. corynocarpa
b. Glume not mucronate, mature nut smooth or sparsely verruculose,
distinct ligule absent 7. F. laxiglumis
35a. Style greater than 3 mm long, winged above, glumes sharply acute F. insignis
b. Style less than 3 mm long, not winged above, glumes obtuse 36
36a. Nut clavate, style less than 1.3 mm long, glumes glabrous F. solidifolia
P.K. Latz, Fimbristylis
175
b. Nut rounded, style generally greater than 1 .3 mm long,
glumes minutely ciliolate on upper margins F. rara
37a. Style glabrous 38
b. Style hairy (sometimes only at base) 57
38a. Style either less than 1 mm long or glumes less than 1.9 mm long,
or both (F. cymosa, F. littoralis and F. rupeslris are often
intermediate and key both ways) 39
b. Style greater than 1 mm long, glumes greater than 1.9 mm long 46
39a. Perennial with stiff leaves F. cymosa
b. Annuals with soft leaves 40
40a. Spikelets sub-globular, leaves equitant or spongy 4 1
b. Spikelets acute and ragged, leaves flat or absent 42
41a. Stamens 3, nut obovate, glume fringes ciliolate at apex F.rara
b. Stamens 1-2, nut clavate, glume fringes glabrous F. littoralis
42a. Inflorescence simple with less than 7 spikelets,
nut epidermal cells isodiametric 8. F. rupestris
b. Inflorescence compound with more than 7 spikelets,
nut epidermal cells transversely linear 43
43a. Ligule present, nerves on leaves several, not raised or thickened F. microcarya
b. Ligule absent, leaves with prominenL mid-rib and rib-like margins 44
44a. Underside of leaves ciliate (especially in lower part),
glume fringes ciliolate at apex 45
b. Underside of leaves glabrous, glumes glabrous F . miliacea
45a. Fertile glumes mucronate with narrow hyaline margin,
stems less than 1 mm wide F. elegans
b. Fertile glumes obtuse with wide hyaline margins,
stems more than 1 mm wide F. trachycarya
46a. Perennials with stiff leaves 47
b. Annuals with soft leaves 50
47a. Ligule present, stems flattened 2-3 mm wide F. complanata
b. Ligule absent, stems rounded or angled 48
48a. Glumes greater than 2.8 mm long, spikelets sub-distichous,
greater than 2 mm wide F . eragrostis
b. Glumes less than 2.8 mm long, spikelets spirally arranged,
less than 2 mm wide 49
49a. Glumes with 0.4 mm long awn f . sp. D
b. Glumes obtuse f. cymosa
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Nuyisia Vol.7, No.2 (1990)
50a. Stems flattened, nut smooth but with deeply sculptured cells F. micans
b. Stems terete or angled, mature nuts tuberculate or ridged 5 1
51a. Nut with 7-10 coarse transverse ridges F. ammobia
b. Nut without transverse ridges 52
52a. Style 3-4 mm long, glumes 4-5 mm long F. sp. F
b. Style less than 3 mm long, glumes less than 3.5 mm long 53
53a. Fertile glumes sharply acute or awned, 2-3 mm long 54
b. Fertile glumes obtuse, muticate, generally less than 2.6 mm long 56
54a. Glumes ciliate on upper margin, nut epidermal cells transversely lineolate F. sp. F
b. Glumes glabrous, nut cells not transversely lineolate 55
55a. Mature nut white or stramineous, less than 0.5 mm wide 1. F. arnhemenis
b. Mature nut dark brown, greater than 0.5 mm wide F. subaristata
56a. Glumes and spikelets obtuse, stems nerved F. rara
b. Glumes and spikelets acute, stems deeply grooved F. phaeoleuca
57a. Plants less than 20 cm tall,
inflorescence simple (spikelets less than 10) 8. F . rupestris
b. Plants greater than 20 cm tall, inflorescence compound
(spikelets more than 10) 58
58a. Glumes less than 2.6 mm long, style less than 2 mm long 59
b. Glumes greater than 2.6 mm long,
style generally greater than 2 mm long (if less then glume awned) 66
59a. Nut maturing purplish-black, glume margins hairy, style base hairy 60
b. Mature nuts white or dark brown, other characters not combined 61
60a. Glumes acute, style twisted at maturity, glumes subdistichous F.furva
b. Glumes with 2 obtuse lobes, style not twisted,
glumes spiral F. macassarcnsis
61a. Glumes and spikelets obtuse, spikelets 2.5 mm wide F. rara
b. Glumes and spikelets acute,
spikelets generally less than 2.5 mm wide 62
62a. Small annual, stamens 1 (2), glumes less than 1.6 mm long F. milacea
b. Perrcnials, stamens 3 (2), glumes generally greater than 1.6 mm long 63
63a. Rhizomatous or stoloniferous perennials, leaves narrow
(subterete) with long hairs on lower margins 64
b. Tufted perennials, leaves flattened or inrolled,
shortly scabrid on lower margins 65
P.K. Latz, Fimbristylis
177
64a. Style ciliate at base, glumes sub-distichous,
rhizotomous plant F. cinnomometorum
b. Style base glabrous, glumes spiral, stoloniferous plant F. vagans
65a. Style with relatively long conspicuous hairs for most of its length,
nut maturing white; desert plant F. eremophila
b. Style shortly hairy above, nut maturing dark brown; coastal plant F. cymosa
66a. Fertile glumes with 1-1.5 mm long scabrid awns, leafy annuals F. signata
b. Fertile glumes not awned, perennials or leafy annuals 67
67a. Small annual with distichous basal spikelets,
apical spikelets 1-5, glumes glabrous F. spiralis
b. Perennials without basal spikelts, apical spikelets generally numerous,
glumes glabrous or hairy 68
68a. Glumes ciliate on margins, nuts maturing black 69
b. Glumes glabrous or minutely ciliolate on margins
(then style base glabrous), mature nuts stramineous or brown 70
69a. Style ciliate whole length, glumes less than 3.5 mm long,
spikelets less than 1 cm long F.furva
b. Style ciliate at base only, glumes greater than 3.5 mm long,
spikelets generally greater than 1 cm long F. lanceolata
70a. Leaves flat, glabrous, style winged or ciliate above, tufted plant F.insignis
b. Leaves subterete, hairy on lower margins, style ciliate at base,
glabrous above, rhizotomous plant F. cinnamometorum
71a. Spikelets capitate 70
b. Spikelets not capitate (sometimes stunted F. neilsonii
appearing capitate) 79
72a. Fertile spikelets 1 (-2) flowered, style greater than 2.8 mm long,
nut with spongy attachment on stipe 73
b. Fertile spikelets 2-many flowered, style less than 2.3 mm long,
nut without attachment on stipe 76
73a. Spikelets 4-many per head, fertile glumes less than 5 mm long 74
b. Spikelets 3 or less per head, fertile glumes greater than 5 mm long 75
74a. Glumes spiral, style 4 mm long or more,
spikelets all erect or suberect 5. F. composiia
b. Glumes sub-distichous, style less than 4 mm long,
outer spikelets becoming reflexcd at maturity F. sp. G
75a. Glumes sub-distichous, lowest glume subequal
to spikelets, stems hairy F. arthrostyloides
b. Glumes spiral, lowest glume about one third of length of spikclet,
stems cilitate or glabrous F. sp. H
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Nuytsia Vol.7, No.2 (1990)
76a. Underside of leaves and involucral bracts silky-hairy F. sericea
b. Underside of leaves and bracts glabrous or
ciliate on margins, or absent 77
77a. Fertile glumes sparsely gland-dotted,
distinctly awned, nut pyriform to obovoid F. schultzii
b. Fertile glumes densely gland-dotted, central nerv e
protruding only slightly past tip, nut sub-globular 78
78a. Style glabrous or sparsely and shordy ciliate at base, glumes lobed
but somewhat acute, lowest glumes glabrous on central nerve F. cephalophora
b. Style densely long ciliate at base, glume with 2 broad lobes at apex,
ciliate on central nerve F. compacta
79a. Leaves densely silky pubescent beneath, glumes pubescent F. sericea
b. Leaves not densely silky pubescent beneath,
glumes ciliate on margins only or glabrous 80
80a. Glumes greater than 2.2 mm long, ciliate on upper margins,
mature nuts usually tuberculate 81
b. Glumes less than 2.2 mm long, glabrous,
mature nut smooth or sparsely verruculose F. cymosa
81a. Glumes greater than 3.5 mm long, style glabrous,
leaves with wide hyaline margins F. neilsonii
b. Glumes less than 3.5 mm long, style hairy, leaves (if present)
without wide hyaline margins F.furva
82a. Nut with transverse, wavy ridges, one spikclel per stem 83
b. Nut longitudinally striate, finely reticulate,
smooth or tuberculate, spikelets usually more than one per stem 91
83a. Glumes hairy, or if glabrous, then rest of plant densely hairy 84
b. Plants glabrous 85
84a. Leaves hairy, nut broadly ellipsoid, upper glumes glabrous F. pilifera
b. Leaves scabrid on margins, otherwise glabrous,
nut obovate, upper glumes with short fine hairs above F . punctata
85a. Majority of spikelets nodding 86
b. Majority of spikelets erect 87
86a. Leafless perennial, style greater than 2.6 mm long, usually greater
than 0.4 mm wide, glumes greater than 3.3 mm long F. nutans
b. Annuals, usually leafy, style less than 2.6 mm long,
usually less than 0.4 mm wide, glumes less than 3.3 mm long F. sp. I
87a. Glumes less than 2 mm long, rich red, nut ridges generally 3-4,
style base ciliate F. nuda
b. Glumes greater than 2 mm long, pale,
nut ridges 4 or more, style base glabrous or ciliate 88
P.K. Latz, Fimbrislylis
179
88a. Fertile glumes and spikelets broadly obtuse,
nut narrowly and deeply furrowed, furrows generally 5,
leaves conspicuous F. pallida
b. Fertile glumes acute to somewhat obtuse, nut furrows broad and shallow,
generally more than 5, leafless or leaves inconspicuous 89
89a. Fertile glumes less than 3.5 mm long F . sp. J
b. Fertile glumes greater than 3.5 mm long 90
90a. Mature nut with distinct pale rounded rim at base,
the remainder usually dark brown, lowest glume broadly obtuse,
much shorter than the fertile glumes F. acuminata
b. Mature nut without distinct white rounded rim at base,
usually pale, lowest glume obtuse or acute only slightly
shorter than the fertile glume F. acicularis
91a. Leaves ligulate (sheaths and blades separated by a distinct
fringe of short hairs or membranous projections) 92
b. Leave eligulate or plant leafless (irregularly spaced hairs may
be present on upper leaf surface) 101
92a. Glumes hairy on back at least in apical part 93
b. Upper glumes glabrous on back (several lower glumes may have
stiff white hairs on or near central nerve) 95
93a. Glumes less than 2.6 mm long,
style less than 1.5 mm long, stamens 2 F. pubisquama
b. Glumes greater than 2.6 mm long, style greater than
1.5 mm long, stamens usually three 94
94a. Glumes nearly as broad as long, style about 0.4 mm wide,
involucral bracts usually longer than the inflorescence,
nuts shortly stipitate F . sleberiana
b. Glumes considerably longer than broad, style about 0.25 mm wide,
involucral bracts shorter than the inflorescence, nut distinctly stipitate F.ferruginea
95a. Nut distinctly longitudinally striate and transversely cancellate (lattice-like) 96
b. Nut smooth, finely reticulate or vcrrucose 98
96a. Spikelets less than 2 mm wide, glumes less than 2 mm long F. bisumbellata
b. Spikelets greater than 2 mm wide, glumes greater than 2 mm long 97
97a. Perennial, style slender, longer than nut, leaves almost distichous F . dichotoma
b. Annual, style equal or shorter than nut (including stipe), leaves spiral .... F. depauperata
98a. Glumes greater than 2 mm long, spikelets greater than 3 mm wide 99
b. Glumes less than 2 mm long, spikelets less than 3 mm wide 100
99a. Glumes greater than 4 mm long, style greater than 2 mm long,
anthers greater than 1 mm long F. tristachya
Nuytsia Vol.7, No.2 (1990)
b. Glumes less than 4 mm long, style less than 2 mm long,
anthers less than 1 mm long F . schoenoides
100a. S pikelets 1-4 per inflorescence, leaves setaceous, glabrous F . polytrichoides
b. Spikelets 5 or more per inflorescence, leaves flat with scabrid margins F. sp. K
101a. Small annuals, style less than 1 mm long,
glumes less than 2 mm long, stamen 1 (if style and/or glume longer,
then style base with long hairs covering nut) 102
b. Perennials or large annuals, style either greater than 1 mm long
or glumes greater than 2 mm long, stamens 1-3 106
102a. Fertile glumes obtuse, involucral bracts much shorter than inflorescence 103
b. Fertile glumes acute or mucronate, bracts longer than inflorescence 104
103a. Inflorescence a single terminal spikelct,
upper glume fringes ciliate, style glabrous F. distincta
b. Inflorescence with 1-12 spikelets, glumes glabrous,
style minutely ciliate F. stenostachya
104a. Style glabrous, nut ornamented with a row of clavate appendages F. dipsacea
b. Style hairy at least at base, nut smooth 105
105a. Base of style with long hairs encompassing nut F. velata
b. Base of style with short hairs F. aestivalis
106a. Annual 25 cm or more tall, with broad spongy
stems (1) 2.5 mm wide, style glabrous F. dolera
b. Perennials or annuals less than 25 cm tall, stems stiff, style usually hairy 107
107a. Annual with single terminal spikelct,
fertile glumes with an awn about 0.5 mm long F. adjuncia
b. Perennials with 1- numerous spikelets, fertile glumes not awned 108
108a. Style base and glume surface ciliate, leaves silky hairy on underside F. sericea
b. Style base and glume surface glabrous,
leaves (if present) glabrous or nearly so 109
109a. Nut less than 0.5 mm long, black, style narrow,
ciliate whole length, spikelets numerous F. caespitosa
b. Nut greater than 0.5 mm long, white or brown, other characters not united 1 10
1 10a. Plants with numerous generally Hat leaves,
glumes less than twice as long as broad,
spikelets predominately greater than 6 per inflorescence 1 1 1
b. Plants leafless or with few setaceous leaves,
glumes generally twice as long as broad,
spikelets predominately 1-6 per inflorescence 1 12
111a. Nut trabeculate (lattice-like), base of stem clothed with fibrous
remains of old leaf sheaths; desert plant F. dichotoma (desert form)
P.K. Latz, Fimbristylis
181
b. Nut not trabeculate, base of stem not clothed
with old leaf sheaths; coastal plant F. cymosa
1 12a. Spikelets squarrose, fertile glumes 3 mm long or more
with mucro greater than 0.3 mm long, red gland-dotted 2. F. blakei
b. Spikelets rounded, fertile glumes up to 3 mm long,
obtuse or muticate, not red gland-dotted 113
1 13a. Stems distinctly flattened, nuts white, less than 0.6 mm broad,
involucral bracts much shorter than spikelets; in non-saline soils F. denudata
b. Stems rounded or somewhat flattened, nut pinkish brown or greyish,
greater than 0.6 mm broad, bracks as long or slightly shorter than spikelets;
in saline soils F. polytrichoides
1 14a. Majority of inflorescences terminated by a single spikelet
(occasional inflorescence with 2 or 3) 115
b. Inflorescences with 3 or more spikelets 122
115a. Nut distinctly winged, leaf sheaths with broad scarious
margins which continue onto the lamina F. pachyptera
b. Nut not winged (sometimes with 3 apical lobes),
leaf sheath margins (if present) abruptly terminated 116
116a. Style greater than 8 mm long, fertile glume greater than 8 mm long 117
b. Style less than 8 mm long, fertile glume less than 8 mm long 118
117a. Nut (including stipe) 2-2.6 mm long with
1 mm long non-angular stipe F. odonlocarpa
b. Nut greater than 2.6 mm long, stipe short or ridged or absent F. squarrulosa
1 1 8a. Leaves reduced to loose scarious scales,
spikelets often more than one per inflorescence F. sp. L ( brownii )
b. Leaves with distinct lamina, 2 cm or more long, spikelets solitary 119
1 19a. Style less than 3 mm long, glume less than 4.5 mm long,
basal spikelets present F. spiralis
b. Style greater than 3 mm long, glumes greater than 4.5 mm long,
basal spikelets absent 120
120a. Annual, leaves contributing less than a third of the bulk of the plant F. oxystachya
b. Perennial, leaves contributing more than a third of the bulk of the plant 121
121a. Nut less than 2.5 mm long, glumes less than 6 mm long F.ovata
b. Nut greater than 2.5 mm long, glumes greater than 6 mm long F. macrantha
122a. Leaves reduced to loose scarious scales 123
b. Leafy plants 125
123a. Spikelets capitate, ferule florets l-(2) 124
b. Spikelets generally solitary, fertile florets numerous F. sp. L ( brownii )
182
Nuytsia Vol.7, No.2 (1990)
124a. Stems scabrid, spikelcts
3-6 per inflorescence, 6 mm long F. arthrostyloid.es
b. Stems smooth, spikelets generally more
than 6 per inflorescence, less than 6 mm long F. sp G
125a. Glumes hairy on back, style 4-6 mm long F.fusca
b. Glumes glabrous, style less than 3.5 mm long 126
126a. Leaves with ligule, style hairy at base F. cinnamometorum
b. Leaves without ligule, style glabrous at base 127
127a. Annual, leaves strongly falcate, nut abruptly truncate,
conspicuously broader than the short but distinct stipe F .fimbristyloides
b. Perennial, leaves subfalcate, nut not truncate at base F. eragrostis
Acknowledgements
I thank the heads of the herbaria BRI, DNA, NSW and PERTH for assisting me with access to
their collections. I especially thank G. Leach and C.R. Dunlop for help with the Latin descriptions
and for checking the manuscript. K.L. Wilson provided very helpful comments on the key. The
efforts of M. Andrews, who executed the line drawings and J. McKinley who capably typed the
manuscript, are greatly appreciated.
References
Bentham, G. (1878). Fimbristylis. In "Flora Australiensis". Vol. 7, pp 298-322. (Reeve: London.)
Blake, S.T. (1947). Notes on Australian Cyperaceae VII. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland 58(2): 46-7.
Blake, S.T. (1969). Studies in Cyperaceae. Contributions of the Queensland Herbarium 8: x-xxx.
Kern, J.H. (1974). Cyperaceae. "Flora Malesiana." Ser. I, vol. 7(3). (Noordhoff: Leyden.)
Leigh, J., Briggs, J. & Hartley, W. (1981). "Rare or Threatened Australian Plants." Special Publication 7. (Australian
National Parks & Wildlife Service: Canberra.)
Nuytsia 7(2): 183-199(1990)
183
Acacia Miscellany 1. Some oligoneurous species of Acacia (Leguminosae:
Mimosoideae: Section Plurinerves) from Western Australia
R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Conservation and Land Management,
P.O. Box 104, Como, Western Australia 6152
Abstract
Cowan, R.S. & B.R. Maslin. Acacia Miscellany — 1. Some oligoneurous species of Acacia (Leguminosae:
Mimosoideae; Section Plurinerves) from Western Australia. Nuylsia7(2): 183-199 (1990). A key is presented to seven new
Western Australian species of plurtncrved wattles (A. awesloniana, A. cassicula, A. consobrina, A. lanei, A. lobulala,
A. spongolitica and A. verricula), one new variety (A. flavipila var. ovalis ) and to several other related and previously
described species. The need for a new name (A. lanuginophylla) for A. lanuginosa C. Gardner is discussed and the identity
of A. glulinosa F. Muell. is considered.
Introduction
The taxa of the Acacia verricula and A. flavipila alliances, some of which are treated herein,
have few characteristics in common other than that many have resinous vegetative and/or flower
parts and the flower-heads are borne in axillary racemes, although these are often very short. In
addition, both groups of taxa have oligoneurous phyllode-ncrvaturc (lor definition, sec Maslin &
Pedley (1988). Pedley (1987) used the term oligoneurous in a much more restricted sense than we
are: we use it to refer informally to taxa characterized by phyllodes having only a few, distant
longitudinal nerves with or without anastomosing minor nerves between them). These alliances are
informal groupings, intended merely as mnemonic devices for ourselves and for potential users;
however, the species in each grouping, or alliance, are probably genuinely related to one another.
They are all treated in the following key but descriptions are provided only for the new taxa; these
are numbered in the key and arranged alphabetically in the text.
This is the first of a series of papers, by one or more of the "Wattle Team" at PERTH; this and
those following arc intended to validate the names of new taxa and to present extended notes, new
names, new combinations and redescriptions of previously described taxa, prior to the synoptic
treatment of them in the "Flora of Australia". Measurements in the following descriptions are taken
from dry material unless otherwise noted.
184
Nuytsia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990)
Key to taxa
1 . Phyllodes four times or more longer than wide
2. Phyllodes terete 7. A. lobulata
2. Phyllodes flat
3. Flowers 4-merous 8. A. spongolitica
3. Flowers 5-merous
4. Phyllodes obviously soft-pubescent
5. Phyllodes and branchlets densely lanate,
nervation of phyllodes ± obscured by pubescence 6. A. lanuginophylla
5. Phyllodes and branchlets villose but phyllode nervation not obscured
6. Phyllodes more than 2.5 cm long and 3 mm wide;
legumes 6-8 mm wide, strongly plicate 3. A. consobrina
6. Phyllodes less than 2.5 cm long and 3 mm wide; legumes 3-4 mm wide,
straight, undulate or ± coiled, not at all plicate
7. Phyllodes linear-oblanceolate; flower heads not borne in racemes. .A. chrysopoda
7. Phyllodes elliptic; flower heads in 1 - or
2-headed racemes 4a. A.flavipila vai.flavipila
4. Phyllodes glabrous or, especially when young, inconspicuously
sub-glabrous
8. Phyllodes 12-15 times as long as wide; at least base of peduncles
and phyllode axils with hoary patch of resin-matted hairlets 5. A.lanei
8. Phyllodes less than 8 times as long as wide; base of peduncles
and phyllode-axils not hoary
9. Phyllodes with gland at blade/pulvinus junction; pubescence
on young branchlets and phyllodes simple and stellate (l(X)x);
legumes constricted between seeds A. ixiophylla
9. Phyllodes with gland 2-12 mm above pulvinus; all pubescence simple
10. Racemes 2-headcd; phyllodes narrowly elliptic;
secondary-nerve reticulum fine, regular 9. A.verricula
10. Racemes 1-headed or flower heads solitary, borne on an
inflorescence axis or not; phyllodes of other shapes, the
secondary-nerve reticulum coarse, indistinct, or poorly developed
11. Flower heads solitary, inflorescence axis absent; phyllodes
oblong-oblanceolate to oblong-elliptic, secondary nerves impressed,
coarsely reticulate 2. A. cassicula
1 1 . Flower heads solitary on an axis; phyllodes of other shapes,
secondary nerves more or less raised, not obviously reticulate
12. Phyllodes arcuate-oblong narrowly; peduncles with crisped white
pubescence; branchlets and phyllodes not resinous A. kingiana
R.S. Cowan & B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany -- 1
185
12. Phyllodcs oval, elliptic or oblong-elliptic, straight; peduncles with short,
golden pubescence; branchlels and sometimes phyllodcs resinous
13. Secondary nerves forming a regular, line, but not always distinct, reticulum;
racemes mostly 2-headed, rarely with one head 9. A. verricula
13. Secondary nerves scarcely visible, not obviously reticulate A. loxophylla
1. Phyllodcs less than four times as long as wide
14. Phyllodes undulate, rounded, obviously mucronate abruptly
15. Phyllodes usually 2 cm long or longer; peduncles mostly 12-20 mm long;
calyx lobes 3/4-united... 1. A. awestoniana
15. Phyllodes less than 2 cm long; peduncles less than 12 mm long;
calyx lobes free A. dictyoneura
14. Phyllodcs not at all undulate, acute, obtuse or rounded-truncate, if mucronulale
obscurely so
16. Racemes mostly 2-headed
17. Phyllodes elliptic to oblong-elliptic, usually obviously lomentulose,
about 2-3 times longer than wide, not strongly resinous; bracteoles
exserted in bud 4a. A.flavipila var .flavipila
17. Phyllodes oval to elliptic, glabrous or at least obscurely subglabrous,
mostly less than twice as long as wide, base as well as oficn veins
strongly resinous- viscid; bracteoles not exserted 4b. A.flavipila var. ovalis
16. Racemes 1 -headed or heads solitary in phyllode axils
18. Flower heads solitary, inflorescence axis absent
19. Nervature of phyllodes ± obscured by dense, lanatc pubescence ... A. lanuginophylla
19. Nervature of phyllodes clearly evident, secondary nerves impressed,
reticulate 2 .A.cassicula
18. Flower heads solitary on an axis
20. Phyllodes less than three times longer than wide, oval, elliptic, or
oblong-elliptic, straight; peduncles with short, golden pubescence;
branchlets and sometimes phyllodes, densely resinous A. loxophylla.
20. Phyllodes three or more limes longer than wide,
narrowly arcuate-oblong; peduncles with crisped white pubescence;
branchlets and phyllodes not resinous A. kingiana
Descriptions
1. Acacia awestoniana Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov (Figure 1, A-C)
Frutex effusus 2.5-3 m altus, ad 4 m diametro, cortice truncorum propc basin cinerco,
longitudinalitcr fissurata, ramulis teretibus, glabris, plcrumquc ad nodos apicesque valde resinosis.
Stipulae persistentes, plus minusve foliaccae, obliquo-ovaiae, 2-2.5 mm longae, 1-1.5 mm latae,
glabrae. Phyllodia obliquo-ovalia ad elliptica, complanata, ad aptcem obtusa ad truncata et
brevi-acuminata, ad basem rotundata sed inaequilatcraliter attenuata, pulvino 1-2 mm longo, lamina
15-30 mm longa, 11-22 mm lata, coriacea, patentia, undulata, glabra, atro-viridia, 3-nervata per
186
Nuylsia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990)
Figure 1. Flowering branchlet, enlarged portion of phyllode to show nervature and fruit of new taxa of Acacia. A-C -
A. awesloniana. D-F - A. cassicula. G-I - A. consobrina. J - A.flavipila var .flavipila. K-M - A. flavipila var.
ovalis. A-C drawn from B.R. Maslin 3745 (flowering branchlet) and II. Steedman s.n. (fruit); D-F from
K.R.Newbey 488 (flowering branchlet) and J. Kitchen 5853 (fruit); G-I from K.R. Newbey 2441 (flowering
branchlet) and N. Stevens KRN9511 1-1 (fruit); J from RJ. Hnatiuk 70397; K-M from P . Roberts 28 (flowering
branchlet) and B .R Maslin 522 (fruit).
R.S. Cowan & B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany — 1
187
superficiem, nervis salienlibus, glande parva, basali. Racemorum axis 2-7 mm longus, resinosus,
puberulus, 1-3-capitulatus, bracteis basalibus circa scmicircularibus, plus minusvc foliaccis, 1.5-2. 5
mm longis, 1.5-2 mm latis, glabris. Pedunculi (6-) 12-20 mm longi, glabri. Capitula globularia,
aurea, 5-6 mm diametro, 54-60-floribus, bracteolis peltalis, lamina ovala, acuminata, breviore quam
gracili stipite. Flores 5-meri. Sepala petalis 1/2-3/4 brcviora, 3/4-connata, pubcrula. Petala
oblanceolato-linearia, discreta, glabra. Legumen anguste oblongum, 10-22 mm longum, 3-5 mm
latum, rectum, villosum, marginibus valde incrassatis. Semina obliqua, oblongo-ellipiica, c. 4 mm
longa, 3 mm lata, nitido-brunnea, pleurogramma magna, conspicua, arillo subapicali.
Typus: West side of Chester Pass Road at northern boundary of Stirling Range National Park,
Western Australia, 15 Oct. 1974, A. S. Weston 9708 ( holo: PERTH; iso: BRI, CANB, K).
Spreading shrubs 2.5-3 m tall, to 4 m diam. Bark longitudinally fissured at base of irunks, grey,
red-brown on branchlets. Branchlets terete, glabrous, usually heavily resinous apically and at
nodes. Stipules persistent, more or less foliaccous, obliquely ovate, 2-2.5 mm long, 1-1.5 mm wide,
glabrous. Phyllodes obliquely oval to elliptic, apex obtuse to truncate and with a distinct,
short-acuminate tip, base rounded but inequilalerally attenuate to 1-2 mm long pulvinus, blades
15-30 mm long, 11-22 mm wide, coriaceous, patent, often becoming deflexed in drying, undulate,
glabrous, dark green, 3 or 4 distant, longitudinal, raised, main nerves on each face, openly
anastomosing with salient secondary nerves. Gland small, situated on upper margin just above
pulvinus. Raceme axes 2-7 mm long, resinous, puberulous, 1-3-headcd. Peduncles (6-) 12-20 mm
long, glabrous; basal peduncular bract encircling base of peduncle, more or less foliaceous, 1.5-2. 5
mm long, 1.5-2 mm wide, glabrous. Flower-heads globular, golden, 5-6 mm diam.,
54-60-flowered. Bracleoles peltate, blade ovate, acuminate, shorter than slender claw. Flowers
5-merous. Sepals 1/2-3/4 length of petals, 3/4-united, puberulous externally. Petals
oblanceolate-1 inear, free, glabrous. Legumes narrowly oblong, 10-22 mm long, 35 mm wide,
straight, villose, margins strongly thickened. Seeds oblique (?), oblong-elliptic, c. 4 mm long, 3 mm
wide, glossy brown; pleurogram large, conspicuous; aril subapical.
Distribution. South-west Western Australia in Eyre Botanical District (1:250,000 map 150-11).
Endemic in Stirling Range National Park and apparently rare and confined to the northern boundary
area.
Habitat. In Wandoo woodland or along watercourses.
Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering October — November. A few valves with mature seeds
collected in March and April.
Affinities. Most closely related to A. dictyoneura but easily distinguished by the much larger
phyllodes with cuspidate apex, the larger stipules and bracts, longer peduncles, peltate bracleoles
and connate sepals of A. awestoniana which is apparently a very rare species and is presently
known in nature from only a few plants. Both species are in cultivation in Tasmania.
Conservation status. 2RC, using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988).
Etymology. The new species is named in honor of Arthur S. Weston, collector of most of the
material known of the species and a most enthusiastic and knowledgeable field botanist in Western
Australia.
2. Acacia cassicula Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. (Figure 1, D-F)
Frutex effusus 1-2.5 m altus, 1.5-4 m diametro, cortice aspri, cinerea, ramulis pace ad sparse
puberulis vel pilosulosis, saepe ad apicem rcsinosis. Stipulae persistentes, subulatae ad
subulato-triangulares, ad 1 mm longae, ciliolatac. Phyllodia oblonga ad clliptica, plus minusvc
inaequilateralia, ad apicem rotundata ad subtruncata el rctusa, mucronulaia ad rostrato-mucronulata.
188
Nuytsia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990)
ad basem acuta, pulvino 0.5-1 mm longo, glabro, lamina (12-)15-20(-22) mm longa, (4-)5-7(-8) mm
lata, tenuc coriacea, inclinata, recta, glabra vcl rare ad marginem aliquot micro-pilis, 2-ncrvata per
superficiem, nervis secondariis impresses, apertc reticulatis, glandc conspicuo, annulari, latiore
quam phyllodiorum crassitudine, 2-3 mm supra pulvinum. Pedunculi 3-5 mm longi, solitarii,
glabri, bracteis basalibus persistentibus, late ovatis, 1.5 mm longis, glabris ciliolatis exceptis.
Capitula globularia, 4 mm diametro, 22-30-floribus, bractcolis spathulatis, lamina late ovala,
acuminata vel acuta. Flores 5-meri. Sepala petalis minus quam dimidia breviora, 1/2-3/4-connata,
sericea. Petala anguste elliptica, discreta, glabra. Ovarium granulosum vel papillosum, aliquando
ad apicem puberulum vel sericeum. Legumen linearis, inter semina depressum, 4-7 cm longum, 3-4
mm latum, charlaceum, plus minusvc circinatum, glabrum, plerumquc valdc rcsinosum. Semina
longitudinalia, oblonga, 4-5 mm longa, 2.5-3 mm lata, nitide atro-brunnca, pleurogramma angusta,
c. 3 mm longa, arillo apicali.
Typus: 8 mi. [12.8 km] E of Gnowangerup, Western Australia, 23 Aug. 1964, K.R. Newbey 1302
(holo: PERTH; iso: CANB, K, MEL, PERTH).
Spreading shrubs 1-2.5 m tall, 1.5-4 m diam. Bark rough, grey. Branchlets sparingly to
sparsely puberulous or pilosulosc, often resinous apically. Stipules persistent, subulate to
subulate-triangular, to 1 mm long, ciliolate. Phyllodes oblong to elliptic, more or less asymmetric,
apex rounded to subtruncate and retuse, mucronulate to rostrate-mucronulatc, base acute, pulvinus
0.5-1 mm long, glabrous, blades (12-)15-20(-22) mm long, (4-)5-7(-8) mm wide, thin-coriaceous,
inclined, straight, glabrous or rarely few micro-hairs on margins, two longitudinal main nerves on
each face distant, salient, secondary nerves impressed and openly reticulate. Gland conspicuous,
annular, w'ider than phyllode thickness, situated on upper margin of phyllode 2-3 mm above
pulvinus. Peduncles 3-5 mm long, solitary, glabrous; basal peduncular bracts persistent, broadly
ovate, 1.5 mm long, glabrous except ciliolate. Flower-heads globular, 4 mm diam., 22-30-flowered.
Bracteoles spalhulate, blade broadly ovate, acuminate or acute. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals less than
1/2 length of petals, 1/2-3/4-united, sericeous externally. Petals narrow-elliptic, free, glabrous.
Ovary granulose or papillose, sometimes puberulous or sericeous apically. Legumes linear,
depressed between seeds, 4-7 cm long, 3-4 mm wide, chartaceous, in one or two coils, glabrous,
usually strongly resinous. Seeds longitudinal, oblong, 4-5 mm long, 2.5-3 mm wide, glossy
dark-brown; pleurogram narrowly U-shaped, c. 3 mm long; aril apical.
Specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Wagin, 10 Sept. 1955, J . Graffin s.n. (PERTH
00697192); 2 miles [3.2 km] E of Jerramungup, K.R. Newbey 488 (PERTH) and 488D (MEL,
PERTH); 8 miles [12.8 km] E of Gnowangerup, K.R. Newbey 1302D (PERTH); 7 miles [1 1.2 km]
NE of Ongcrup, K.R. Newbey 3686 (PERTH); 4 km ENE of Jerramungup, K.R. Newbey 9535-1
(MELU, PERTH); 2.4 miles [3.8 km] E of Jerramungup on road to Ravcnsthorpe, M.D. Tindale 248
& B.R. Maslin (PERTH).
Distribution. South-west Western Australia in southern Avon and Roe Botanical Districts
(1:250, OCX) maps 150-7, 8). Infrequent but locally common from Wagin ESE to Jerramungup.
Habitat. Found predominantly in Eucalyptus occidentalis woodland on sandy or granitic loam.
Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers August — September; legumes with mature seeds collected
in December.
Affinities. Related to A. lanuginophylla which is very distinct because of its densely lanale
branchlets, phyllodes, peduncles, bracts, bracteoles and legumes. Both species have the same sort
of annular phyllode-gland, stipules, solitary flower-heads, ovale bracteoles and broadly ovate
bracts.
Conservation status. 3R, using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988).
R.S. Cowan & B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany -- 1
189
Etymology. The name is intended to call attention to the distinct secondary nerve reticulum in
A. cassicula (a little net).
3. Acacia consobrina Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. (Figure 1, G-I)
Frutex humilis 0.5- 1.3 m altus, 2-3.5 m patens, ramulis plus minusve compressis, villosis,
interdum appresso-pilosis, pilosis vel uncinalo-pilosis. Slipulae persistentes, 1.5-4 mm longae,
triangulares ad subulatac, villosae vel solum ciliolatae. Phyllodia anguste oblanccolata vel
oblongo-oblanceolata, complanata, plcrumque rotundalo-oblusa el excentrice mucronulala, pulvino
0.5-1. 5 mm Iongo, villoso, lamina 27-38 mm longa, 4-9 mm lata, coriacca, inclinala ad palenti,
parce falcata vel recta, plcrumque villosa sed aliquando uncinato-pilosa vel suberectc villosa, 3- vel
4-nervata per superficiem, nervis secondariis plus minusve parallclis, anastomosantibus, glandc
inconspicua, usque 5 mm supra pulvinam. Racemorum axes ad 4.5 mm sub anthesi, rare apparenter
deficiens, pilosulosi, bractcis basalibus ovatis, aculis ad acuminatis, 1.5-4 mm longis, plus minusve
villosulosis. Pedunculi binati, 2-6 mm longi, rare ad 10 mm longi, puberuli ad pilosi, interdum pilis
appressis. Capitula globularia, 4-6 mm diametro, (27)-36-47-lloribus, bracteolis ovatis ad
lanceolatis, aculis ad acuminatis, stipitatis, ciliatis. Flores 5-mcri. Sepala petalis plus minusve
1/4- 1/2 breviora, discreta ad 1/3-connata, ligulata vel oblanceolalo-ligulata. Petala
angusto-elliptica, discreta. Ovarium granulosum vel ad apieem papillatum ad appresso-puberulum
saltern. Legumen oblongum, supra semincs valdc elevatum, 12-30 mm longum, 6-8 mm latum,
inter semines valde plicalum, tenuitcr coriaccum, villosum vel pilosum. Semina obliqua, lato-ovata
vel rotundato ad oblongo-ovalia, 2.5-3 mm longa, 2-2.5 mm lata, nitide atro-brunnea,
pleurogramma distincta, circa 1.5 mm longa, arillo subapicali.
Typus: 15 miles [24 km] N of Ongcrup, Western Australia, 21 June 1964, K.R. Newbey 395 D
(holo: PERTH; iso: BRI, CANB, K, NSW, NY).
Low, spreading shrubs 0.5-1. 3 m tall, spreading 2-3.5 m. Branchleis ± compressed, villose,
occasionally appressed-pilosc, pilose or uncinate-pilose. Stipules persistent, 1.5-4 mm long,
triangular to subulate, villose or at least ciliolatc. Phyllodes narrowly oblanceolate or
oblong-oblanceolate, apex generally rounded and cxccntrically mucronulaie, pulvinus 0.5-1. 5 mm
long, villose, blades 27-38 mm long, 4-9 mm wide, coriaceous, inclined to patent, slightly falcate or
straight, usually villose but sometimes uncinate-pilose or subappressed pilose, each face with 3 or 4
distant, longitudinal main nerves, secondary nerves nearly as prominent, forming many
anastomoses more or less parallel to main nerves. Gland inconspicuous, situated on upper margin
of phyllode to 5 mm above pulvinus. Racemes axillary, (l-)2-hcaded, axes to 4.5 mm long at
anthesis, rarely apparently lacking, pilosulosc; basal peduncular bract ovate, acute to acuminate,
1.5-4 mm long, more or less villosulosc. Peduncles 2-6 mm long, rarely to 10 mm, puberulous to
pilose, occasionally hairs appressed. Flower-heads globular, 4-6 mm diam., (27-)36-47-flowered.
Bracteoles ovate to lanceolate, acute to acuminate, stipitatc, cilialc. Flowers 5-mcrous. Sepals
1/2-3/4 length of petals, free to 1/3-united, ligulate or oblanccolate-ligulatc. Petals narrowly
elliptic, free. Ovary granulose, papillate or appressed puberulous, at least apically. Legumes
oblong, 12-30 mm long, 6-8 mm wide, sLrongly plicate, folded between seeds, thin-coriaceous,
villose or pilose. Seeds oblique, broadly ovate or round to oblong-oval, 2.5-3 mm long, 2-2.5 mm
wide, glossy dark brown, plcurogram U-shaped, c. 1.5 mm long; aril subapical.
Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: on Borden water-catchment just S of
Borden townsite, 34° 05’ S, 1 1 8° 1 5’ E, K. Bradby 44 (PERTH); Swan River Colony, ./. Drummond
5:13 (PERTH); 12 km S of Highway 1 on Monkey Rock Road, E of Jcrramungup, G. Crait> 1671
(CANB, K, PERTH); 6 miles [9.6 kmj N of Nyabing, V.F. McDougall 1 (PERTH); 15 miles [24
km] N of Ongerup, K.R. Newbey 395 (PERTH) and 395D (l'rt) (CANB, PERTH); 1 mile [ 1 .6 kmj E
of Lake Grace, K.R. Newbey 1760 (B, BM, G, MO, PERTH); 29 miles [46.6 km[ SE of Ongerup,
K.R. Newbey 3382 (AD, BRI, PERTH, W); 1.6 km N of Chillilup Pool, Pallinup River
K.R. Newbey 3389 (CANB, K, MEL, PERTH); Kalgarin [Karlgarin], April 1968, II G Rue sn’
(PERTH 00185752); Nembudding district, E.M. Williams (PERTH 931829).
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Nuytsia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990)
Distribution. South-west Western Australia, predominantly in Roe Botanical District but extending
into adjacent Avon and Eyre Botanical Districts (1:250,000 maps H50-15; 150-4, 7, 8, 11, 12).
Most collections arc from the Gnowangcrup-Jerramungup-Chillilup Pool area with a few
occurrences as far north as Karlgarin near Hyden. Although we do not have a representative
collection from Gnowangcrup, K.R. Newbey (pers. comm., 31 Aug. 1987) reports iL as growing
there. There is an outlying population, represented by E.M. Williams (PERTH 931829), in the
Nembudding area about 200 km NNW of the main distribution.
Habitat. Growing in Eucalyptus loxophleba or E. occidentalis low woodland or E. redunca open
shrub mallee in clayey sand to red clay-loam. It is to be expected on lower valley slopes, colluvial
flats on sandplain or dolcrite dikes in red crumbly soils (pers. comm., K.R. Newbey 31 Aug. 1987).
Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers late May to September. Legumes with mature seeds
collected November and December.
Affinities. Acacia consobrina is rather similar to A. flavipila, differing in proportions of the
phyllodes and their nervature in particular, but also in the number of flowers per head, and in the
fruit size and shape. At least superficially, it also resembles A. ixiophylla which has both stellate
and simple hairs on many parts, basal phyllodc-glands, and linear, undulate fruits. The oblique
orientation of the seeds in the pods is unlike any of the related species which all have longitudinally
oriented seeds. A. consobrina appears to be relatively long-lived, perhaps up to 20-25 years
according to K.R. Newbey (pers. comm., 31 Aug. 1987).
Conservation status. 2R, using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988).
Etymology. The name has been chosen to indicate rclatcdness but distantly, i.e., cousins rather than
siblings.
4. Acacia flavipila A.S. George, Western Austral. Naturalist 10(2): 32 (1966) (as "Acacia
flavopila").
Based on A. aurea C. Gardner, J. & Proc. Roy. Soc. Western Australia 27: 174 (1942). Type:
Stirling district, near Gnarming, Aug. 1925, W.E. Blackall (holo: PERTH 00741523); non Noronha
ex Hoevcn & dc Vriese, Tijdschr. Natuurk. Gesch. 11: 128 (1939).
Spreading shrubs 0.5-2 m tall. Branchlets crispate-villose to puberulous or
appresscd-puberulous. Stipules persistent, elongate-triangular, c. 1 mm long, glabrous. Phyllodes
elliptic to oval, mostly somewhat inequilateral, rounded to obtuse, micro-mucronulate, sometimes
emarginate, pulvinus 0.25-0.5 mm long, crispate-pubcrulous, blades 10-22 mm long, 5-9 mm wide,
rigid-coriaceous, patent, straight, crispate-villosulosc to glabrous, dull green, 2- or 3-ncrved on each
face, main longitudinal nerves scarcely distinguishable from smaller nerves, forming an impressed
reticulum. Gland situated on upper margin of phyllode 1-5 mm above pulvinus. Raceme axes 2-7
mm long, (l-)2-headed, golden pilosulose to sericeous; basal peduncular bracts ovate, 1-1.5 mm
long, glabrous. Peduncles 3-6 mm long, golden pilosulose to sericeous. Flower-heads globular,
golden, 28-35-flowered; bracteoles quadrate-ovate, ovate or lanceolate, exserted or not in bud.
Flowers 5-merous. Sepals free, lincar-oblanccolate, externally golden puberulous. Petals free,
oblanccolatc, apically golden puberulous externally. Legumes linear, 15-30 mm long, 3-4 mm
wide, undulate, villose. Seeds not seen.
Distribution. South-west Western Australia in Avon and Roc Botanical Districts (1:250, (XX) maps
H50-11, 15, 16; 150-3, 4; 151-5). Scattered from near Cadoux SE to near Dunn Swamp (c. 80 km
NE of Ravcnsthorpe) but mostly found between Quairading and Hyden.
Affinities. This species and A. chrysopoda are similar in their habit, globular llowcr-hcads, the
number of flowers per head, and in floral details. They differ strongly in lorm of the phyllodia.
R.S. Cowan & B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany -- 1
191
inflorescence form, and flower-head size. A.flavipila is also related, less closely, to A. consobrina,
A. cassicula, A. lanuginophylla , A. kingiana and A. loxophylla. The two varieties differ in the
relative proportions of the phyllodcs, presence or absence of resin on the phyllodcs and in details of
the bracteoles.
Orthography. The original spelling of the specific epithet (” flavopila ") has been corrected in
accordance with Art. 73.8 and Rec. 73G of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature
(1988).
4a. A. flavipila var. flavipila (Figure 1 , J)
Shrubs, not obviously resinous. Phyllodcs elliptic to oblong-elliptic, mostly (1 ()-) 1 5-22 mm
long, (4-)5-8 mm wide, 2-3 times as long as wide. Bracteoles ovate to lanceolate, long-stipitate,
exserted in buds.
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Wcstonia, 15 Feb. 1953, S.C. Bennett s.n.
(PERTH 00698490); 37.75 km SW of Peak Eleanora, 33° 1 1 ’ 27" S, 120° 52’ 29" E, M.A. Burgman
1931 & S. McNee (PERTH); 2 km E of Kulin, 32° 40’ S, 118° 10’ E, R.J. Hnatiuk 770397
(PERTH); Holt Rock, May 1963,7.5. Lamonl s.n. (PERTH 00661902); Emu Rock, £.7?. Maslin 560
(MEL, NY, PERTH); Reserve 27584, 14 km NE of Mcrrcdin, B.G. Muir 817 (PERTH); 2 miles
[3.2 km] SW of Kulin, K.R. Newbey 2608 (MO, PERTH); 5 miles [8 km] E of Kulin, K.R. Newbey
3222 (CANB, K, NY, PERTH); 15 km E of Dunn Swamp, c. 80 km NE of Ravcnsthorpe,
K.R. Newbey 8131 (PERTH); Kulin, 12 May 1953,. LB. Wilson s.n. (PERTH 00698594).
Distribution. South-west Western Australia in Avon and Roc Botanical Districts (1:250,000 maps
H50-15, 16; 150-3, 4; 151-5). Infrequent and known only from near Merredin, Kulin, Dunn Swamp,
Holt Rock and Emu Rock, but locally common in the Kulin area.
Habitat. On poorly to well-drained clay-loam or brown sand.
Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering July — August. Only one attached fruit-valve seen, on a
February collection.
Conservation status. 3RC, using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988).
5b. A. flavipila var. ovalis Cowan & Maslin, var. nov. (Figure 1, K-M)
A. var .flavipila phyllodiis brevioribus ad basem phyllodiorum et raccmorum distincte resinosis,
bracteolis quadrato-ovatis brevi-stipitatis in alabastro non exsertis dilTcrt.
Typus: c. 20 miles [32 km.] NW of Kondinin, Western Australia, 29 June 1970, A.S. George 9873
(holo: PERTH 00741523; iso: MEL, TLF).
Shrubs with phyllode bases, branchlct apices and inflorescences obviously resinous. Phyllodcs
oval to elliptic, mostly 10-14 mm long, 6-9 mm wide, less than twice as long as wide. Bracteoles
quadrate-ovate with short stipe, not exserted in bud.
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 2.5 miles [4 km] from Cadoux towards
Kalannie, R.J. Camming 1867 (CANB, PERTH); ± 23 miles [37 km] NW of Kondinin, A.S. George
9872 (CNRS -Montpellier, K, MEL, PERTH, TLF); Sorenson’ Nature Reserve, 9 km W of Babakin
on S side of Bee’s Road, S.D. Hopper 5864 (MEL, PERTH); 3 miles [4.8 km] E of Corrigin on road
to Bendering, B.R. Maslin 506 (K, PERTH); 2 miles [3.2 km] S of Gnarming on road to Kulin,
B. R. Maslin 522 (BRI, PERTH); 15 miles [24 km] N of Bulyee, K.R. Newbey 3425 (PERTH); 64
km SSW of Marvel Loch, K.R. Newbey 8431 (PERTH); 62 km SSW of Marvel Loch, K.R. Newbey
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Nuytsia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990)
8432 (PERTH); between Kokardine and Cadoux on roadside, P. Roberts 28 (PERTH); roadside
halfway between Cadoux and Kokardine, B./l. Smith 218 (PERTH); 1 53(243] mile peg on Hydcn
Road [13 km SE of Corrigin on main road to Kondinin], D. Young 109 (PERTH).
Distribution. South-west Western Australia in Avon and Roe Botanical Districts (1:250, 000 maps
H50-11, 16; 150-3, 4). Confined to an area bounded by Quairading E to near Gibb Rock and S to
Kulin. One population occurs between Cadoux and Kokardine, c. 150 km N of Quairading, outside
the main distribution.
Habitat. Well-drained sand or more often clay-loam on open undulating terrain.
Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers May — September; only old fruit- valves seen.
Conservation status. 3RC, using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh(1988).
5. Acacia lanei Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. (Figure 2, D-F)
Frutex effusus 2 m altus, ramulis tcrctibus, rcsinoso-coslatis, albo-sericeis. Stipulae caducae vcl
per resinam albam obscurae, triangulares, c. 1 mm longae, glabrae. Phyllodia ligulala, complanata,
obtuse-acuta, pulvino 1-1.5 mm longo, 43-60 mm longa, 3-5 mm lata, coriacea, asccndentia, recta
vel lcviter curvata, glabra albo-scricca ct rcsinosa ad basem cxcepta, 3-ncrvata per superficiem,
nervis secondariis paucis, glande parve, prope basem. Racemorum axis 1-3 mm longus, rare ad
7 mm longus, saepc nullus, 1- vcl 2-capitulatus, albo-scriccus, rcsinosus ad basem; bracLcis
basalibus ovatis ad lanceolaiis, c. 1 mm longis. Pedunculi 3-5 mm longi, micro-puberuli, pilis
rubris ct albo-sericeis sed versus apicem pilis per resinam obscuris. Capitula globularia, 4-6 mm
diametro, 34-38-floribus. Flores 5-mcri. Sepala c. dimidia quam longa petala, lincaria, discreta,
micro-pubcrula ad apicem. Petala oblanccolato-elliptica, discreta, glabra. Legumen
arcuato-lincarc, 8.5-12 cm longum, 2-3 mm latum, supra semina elevatum, glabrum, viscidum.
Semina longitudinalia, oblonga, 3.5-4.5 mm longa, 1.5-2 mm lata, nitido-brunnea, pleurogramma
2.5-3 mm longa, arillo apicali.
Typus: 3.6 miles [5.7 km] E of Hydcn on road to Holt Rock, Western Australia, 14 July 1970,
B.R. Maslin 566 (holo: PERTH; iso: BRI, K).
Spreading shrubs 2 m tall. Branchlels terete with several resinous ridges, white sericeous but
pubescence ± obscured by resin. Stipules caducous or obscured by whitc(dry) resin, triangular,
about 1 mm long, glabrous. Phyllodes ligulate, bluntly acute, with a pulvinus 1-1.5 mm long, the
blades 43-60 mm long, 3-5 mm wide, coriaceous, ascending, straight or weakly curved, glabrous
except whitc-scriccous and resinous at base, with 2 or 3 distant, longitudinal main nerves on each
face, secondary nerves numerous, finer than main nerves and parallel to them, anastomoses few,
nearly longitudinal. Gland small, situated on the upper margin of phyllode just above pulvinus.
Raceme axes 1-3 mm long, rarely to 7 mm, frequently absent, 1- or 2-hcadcd, white-sericeous and
resinous basally; basal peduncular bracts ovate to lanceolate, c. 1 mm long. Peduncles 3-5 mm
long, with many red micro-hairs and white-sericeous basally, upper portion sericeous but hairs ±
obscured by resin. Flower-heads globular, 4-6 mm diam., 34-38-fiowcrcd. Bracteoles spalhulate,
blade rounded, much shorter than filiform stipe. Flowers 5-mcrous. Sepals half as long as petals,
linear, free, micro-pubcrulous apically. Petals oblanccolatc -elliptic, free, glabrous. Legumes
arcuate-linear, 8.5-12 cm long, 2-3 mm wide, raised over seeds, glabrous, viscid. Seeds
longitudinal, oblong, 3. 5-4. 5 mm long, 1.5-2 mm wide, shining, brown; plcurogram 2.5-3 mm long;
aril apical.
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: R.J. Lane’s property, Kulin, 22 km S of
Hydcn, 21 Aug. 1985, K. Atkins s.n. (CANB, MEL, NSW, NY, PERTH 00336971); Hydcn, July
1979, RJ. Lane s.n. (PERTH 00336963); approx. 12 km S of Hydcn, 27 July 1982, R.J. Lane s.n.
R. S. Cowan & B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany -• 1
193
Figure 2. Flowering branchlet, enlarged portion of phyllode to show nervature and fruit of new species of Acacia. A-C -
A.lobulala. D-F - A. lanei. G— I - A. spongolitica. J-L - A. verricula. A-C drawn from S.D. Hopper 6402
(flowering branchlet) and J. Brown 59 (fruit); D-F from R J. Lane s.n.; G-I from N. Stevens KRN 9507-1- and J-L
from P. Pullen 10050 (fruit) and B.R. Maslin 1771 (flowering branchlet).
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Nuytsia Vol.7, No. 2(1990)
(PERTH 00336947); Hyden, 1979, RJ. Lane s.n. (PERTH 00336955); near Hyden, 18 July 1988,
RJ. Lane s.n. (AD, G, K, MO, PERTH 00884847).
Distribution. South-west Western Australia in Roe Botanical District (1:250,000 map 150-2, 4).
Restricted to area south and cast of Hyden within a 25 km radius.
Habitat. Growing in associauon with Salmon Gum ( Eucalyptus salmonophloia ) or York Gum
(E. loxophleba ) along creek and drainage lines at lower elevations on red or brown clay, clay-loam
or gravelly loam (R.J. Lane, pers. comm., 28 Aug. 1987).
Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering mainly in July — August, sometimes September or as
early as mid-July (RJ. Lane, pers. comm., 28 Aug. 1987 and 18 July 1988). Fruiting
mid-November to mid-December (R.J. Lane, pers. comm., 28 Aug. 1987).
Affinities. Closely allied to several species in the A. ixiophylla alliance; it differs lrom A. ixiophylla
in having longer, strap-like phyllodcs, all simple pubescence, and longer, glabrous legumes.
A. lanei can be distinguished most readily from all related species (ol which A. spongolitica is
perhaps the closest) by the white patch at each node, at the base of the phyllodcs, in the axils and at
the base of the peduncles.
Conservation status. 2ELK], using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988).
Etymology. Named for Richard J. Lane, the Western Australian farmer who called our attention to
the plant in July 1986 as an excellent windbreak because it is vigorous in growth and is not browsed
by livestock.
6. Acacia lanuginophylla Cowan & Maslin, nom. nov.
Based on A. lanuginosa C. Gardner, Hooker’s Icon. PI., pi. 3379 (1939) non Hort. ex Regel,
Gartenflora3: 155 (1854).
Type: Mount Holland, between Southern Cross and Ravcnsthorpc, Western Australia, Sept. 1929,
C.A. Gardner 2046a (holo: PERTH; iso: BRI, CANB, K, MEL, MO, NSW).
Illustration. C. Gardner, loc. cit.
Affinities. A very distinctive Western Australian species related to A.flavipila and to A. cassicula,
characterized by woolly vegetative parts, bracts, bractcolcs and legumes.
Conservation status. 3E, using the criteria ol Briggs & Leigh (1988).
7. Acacia lobulata Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. (Figure 2, A-C)
Frutex apertus erectus 1-2 m altus, cortice laevi, ramulis lcviter angulatis, plus minusve
tuberculatis, glabris, resinosis. Phyllodia tcrctia, apice valdc excentrice curvato, acuto,
(15-)25-30(-35) mm longa, 0.7-0.8 mm diametro, incurvata, glabra, grisco-viridia, dictyophlebia,
areolis salientibus, nervis atratis, impressis, resinosis, glande circulari, 0.5-2 mm supra pulvinum.
Fedunculi (2.5-)3-4.5(-6) mm longi, solilarii, rare binati, puberuli; capitula globularia, 3. 5-4. 5 mm
diametro, 15-17-floribus, bracteolis spathulaiis, lamina ovata ad lanccolata. Flores 5-meri. Sepala
petalis plus minusve dimidia breviora, 1/3-1/2-connata, oblonga. Petala angustc clliplica, c. 2-plo
longiora quam sepala, discrela. Ovarium dense albo-pilosum. Legutnen lineare, 4-0-60 mm longum,
3-4 mm latum, tenuiter chartaceum, valde curvatum, glabrum, resinosum. Semina longitudinalia,
oblonga, compressa, 4-5.5 mm longa, 1.8-2. 3 mm lata, hebetate atro-brunnea, arillo apicali.
R.S. Cowan & B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany -- 1
195
Typus: Chiddarcooping Nature Reserve, Western Australia, 23 July 1989, B.R. Maslin 6385 (holo:
PERTH; iso: AD, BRI, CANB, K, MEL, NSW, NY, US, Z).
Erect, open, often spindly shrubs 1-2 m tall. Bark smooth. Branchlets slightly angled, ±
tubcrculatc, glabrous, resinous. Stipules not seen, apparently absent. Phyllodes terete with strongly,
excentrically curved, acute tips and a 0.5 mm long pulvinus, (l-5)25-30(-35) mm long, 0.7-0. 8 mm
diam., ascending, incurved, glabrous, dull, grey-green; nerves resinous, impressed, forming a
coarse, regular reticulum, arcolcs raised markedly. Gland circular, brownish, depressed in centre,
situated on upper surface of phyllode 0.5-2 mm above pulvinus. Peduncles (2.5-)3-4.5(-6) mm
long, solitary, occasionally in pairs, pubcrulous; basal peduncular bracts ovate, slightly concave,
acute. Flower-heads globular, 3.5-4.5 mm diam., 15-17-flowered. Bracieoles spalhulate to
obovate-spathulatc, blade ovale to lanceolate, pubcrulous, ciliolate. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals less
than half to about half as long as petals, 1/3-1/2-umtcd, oblong, ciliolate. Petals narrowly elliptic,
acute, free, glabrous. Ovary densely white pilose. Legumes linear, raised over but not constricted
between seeds, 40-60 mm long, 3-4 mm wide, thin-chartaceous, strongly curved, smooth, glabrous,
resinous. Seeds longitudinal, oblong, compressed, 4-5.5 mm long, 1.8-2. 3 mm wide, dull
dark-brown; plcurogram narrowly oblong, 2/3 seed length; aril membranous, apical, more than half
as long as seed.
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Chiddarcooping Nature Reserve, J. Brown
JBr59 & A. Williams (CANB, G, K, MEL, NSW, NY, PERTH), S.D. Hopper 6395, 6396, 6397,
6398, 6399, 6400, 6401, 6402, 6403, 6404 and 6417 (all PERTH), AS. Weston 14262 (AD, BRI,
PERTH), 14547 (AD, BRI, PERTH).
Distribution. South-west Western Australia in the north eastern part of the Avon Botanical District
(1: 250 000 map H50-12). Known only from Chiddarcooping Nature Reserve.
Habitat. Common on gritty loam and sand on gradual slopes in woodland and low scrub in
association with Eucalyptus spp., Melaleuca spp. and Oxylobium parviflorum. Also occurs
occasionally in clayey soils in woodland dominated by E. wandoo.
Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering specimens have been collected in July; specimens with
mature legumes have been collected in November.
Affinities. Acacia lobulata is the only species of Acacia in Australia which has terete phyllodes
with reticulate nervalure. It is most closely related to A. verricula which has flat, rcticulatc-nerved
phyllodes. From it the new species differs, in addition to phyllode form, in having solitary flower
heads without any evidence of a reliclual axis, fewer flowers per head, and partially united calyx but
quite similar fruits, seeds and basal peduncular bracts.
Morphology. The most notable characteristic of 4. lobulata is the impressed nel-nervature of die
phyllodes with the arcolcs raised, giving the phyllodes a regular cobblestone appearance or, perhaps
better, the appearance of a slender sausage in a loo-small net. The nerves arc all of about the same
degree of distinctness and there are no midnerves or laterals as is often seen in the Plurinerves.
Conservation status. 2RC[K] using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988).
Etymology. The name is chosen to call attention to the most striking feature of the new species, the
surface of the phyllodes.
8. Acacia spongolitica Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. (Figure 2, G-I)
Frutex 1-2 m altus, cortice cinerco, ramulis versus apieem compressis, resinosis, saepe plus
minusve minute glanduloso-puberulis. Stipulae caducac, anguste triangulares, circa 0.25 mm
longae. Phyllodia lineari- ad oblongo-elliptica, complanala, obtusa ad acuta, apiculata, pulvino
196
Nuytsia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990)
1- 1.5 mm longo, lamina 28-70(-80) mm longa, 4-7(- 11) mm lata, coriacea, patentia, recta, glabra,
hebetato-viridia, 2-nervaia principalia per supcrf'iciem, nervis marginalibus inierdum rcsinosis
projecturis ornatis, glandc usque ad 2 mm supra pulvinum, latiora quam phyllodiorum crassitudinc.
Racemorum axis 1-7 mm longus, 1- vcl 2-capitulalus, bractcis basalibus c. ovaiis, aculis, usque ad
1 mm longa. Pedunculi 5-9(-14) mm longi, glabri vel disperse glanduloso-micro-pilis, graciles.
Capitula globularia vel brcvi-oblongoidea, vivide atro-aurca, 4(-5) mm diametro,
(24-)28-32-floribus, bracteolis lincari-oblanceolatis. Flores 4-mcri. Sepala petal is dimidia
breviora, 1/3-3/4-connata, glanduloso-ciliolata. Peiala elliptica vel elliptico-oblanceolaia, discreta.
Ovarium granulosum. Legumen (submaturum) lincare, plus minusve inter semina constrictum,
50-65 mm longum, 2.5 mm latum, arcuatum, glabrum, resinosum.
Typus: Near West River Crossing, Western Australia, 11 Sept. 1966, K.R. Newbey 2472 (holo:
PERTH; iso: BRI, CANB, K, MEL, PERTH).
Shrubs 1-2 m tall, spreading 1. 5-2.5 m. Branchless compressed apically, resinous, often more or
less micro-glandular-puberulous. Stipules caducous, narrow-triangular, c. 0.25 mm long. Phy (lodes
linear- to oblong-elliptic, obtuse to acute, apiculalc, pulvinus 1-1.5 mm long, blades 28-70(-80) mm
long, 4-7(- 11) mm wide, coriaceous, patent, straight, glabrous, dully dark-green, each face with 2 or
3 distant, longitudinal main nerves from pulvinus, secondary nerves nearly as distinct, parallel to
main nerves, anastomoses infrequent, marginal nerves sometimes with small resinous projections.
Gland situated on the upper margin of phyilodc to 2 mm above pulvinus, broader than thickness of
phyllode. Raceme axes 1-7 mm long, or much longer after apical vegetative growth, 1- or
2- headcd, heads axillary, more numerous on elongated shoots; basal peduncular bracts c. ovate,
acute, 1 mm long or shorter. Peduncles 5-9(-14) mm long, glabrous or wilh scattered glandular
micro-hairs, slender. Flower-heads globular to short-oblongoid, bright deep-golden, 4(-5) mm
diam., (24-)28-32-flowcred. Bracteoles lincar-oblanccolatc. Flowers 4-mcrous. Sepals half as
long as petals, 1/3-3/4-unilcd, glandular-ciliolate. Petals elliptic or clliptic-oblanceolate, free.
Ovary granulose. Legumes (submature) linear, 50-65 mm long, 2.5 mm wide, curved, glabrous.
Seeds longitudinal, oblong-elliptic, 4 mm long, 2 mm wide, glossy, brown; areolc 2.5 mm long,
oblong; aril apical.
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Hamcrslcy River, Fitzgerald River
National Park, 33° 45’ S, 119° 40’ E, K. Bradby KLB13 (PERTH); Fitzgerald River area, c. 70
miles [112.7 kmj ESE of Ongcrup, R.G. Coveny 3199, T.E.IL Aplin & I. L. Lethbridge s.n.
(PERTH); junction of Fitzgerald and Susctta Rivers, Reserve No. 24048, 34° 01’ S, 1 19° if E, 12
July 1970’ A.S. George s.n. (PERTH 00190489); 30 miles [48 kmj W of Ravcnsthorpe, F Lullfitz
L3520 (PERTH); Boat Harbour, K.R. Newbey 3258 (PERTH); 32 km SE of Ongcrup, K.R. Newbey
4316 (PERTH); 22 km NNE of Ongcrup, K.R. Newbey 4767 (AD, BRI, CANB, K, MEL, NSW,
NY, PERTH); 1 1 km NE of Coompcrtup, c. 52 km WSW of Ravcnsthorpe, K.R. Newbey 5053
(PERTH); 32 km SE of Ongerup, N. Stevens KRN9507-1 (PERTH); Roc’s Rocks, R.D. Royce 8996
(PERTH).
Distribution. South-west Western Australia in the Roe and Eyre Botanical Districts (1:250,000
maps 150-8, 12). Ranging from near Ongerup and Boat Harbour E to the West River (c. 30 km W
of Ravcnsthorpe) with numerous collections within the Fitzgerald River National Park.
Habitat. Common in Eucalyptus platypus or E. astringens low woodland in skeletal to shallow
soils (loam, sandy or loamy clay) on spongolitc breakaways. Rare in E. transcontinental is open
shrub malice in sand on plain. It is frequent and locally common throughout its range, often the
dominant plant form; its presence may be detected by the strongly aromatic odour of its resinous
foliage well before it is visible (K.R. Newbey, pers. comm., 31 Aug. 1987). (It is presumably the
resin of, especially, the branchlets that is the substrate for a sooty mould frequently seen on slightly
older branchlets).
Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering collections in July — September. Mature legumes not
seen; submature ones collected in early December.
R.S. Cowan & B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany -- 1
197
Affinities. A. spongolitica is superficially very similar to several species in the A. ixiophylla
complex but it is instantly separable by its ictramerous flowers, compressed branchlets, and
connate, glandular-ciliolatc sepals; it is perhaps most closely related to A . lanei and A. ixiophylla.
Conservation status. Not considered either rare or endangered.
Etymology. The specific epithet, proposed by the collector of the type material, refers to the
substrate common for the species, very often soil derived from spongolite, a sedimentary rock rich
in sponge spicules.
9. Acacia verricula Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. (Figure 2, J-L)
Frutex multicaulis 0.5-3 m altus, late coronalus, caulium prope basin cortice fissurata, supra
laevi, ramulis rufis, resinosis, parce pubcrulis, pilis simplicibus, antrorse curvatis, saepe aureis.
Stipulae persistentes, triangulares, minores quam 0.5 mm longac. Phyllodia complanata,
lenticularia ad anguslc elliplica vel lincari-elliplica, obtusa ad acuta, aliquando brevi-mucronulato,
pulvino minore quam 1 mm longo, lamina (1 1-)15-30(-38) mm longa, (2-)3-5(-6) mm lata,
tenui-coriacea, leviter curvata, glabra vel ad marginem pilis antrorse curvatis, pall ido-viridi,
resinosa, nervis secondariis in reticulo junctis, glande ( 1 -)2-6(- 12) mm supra pulvinum.
Racemorum axis 1-6 mm longus, plcrumque bicapilulatus, puberulus, saepe resinosus, aliquando
nullus, bracteis basalibus ovatis, persistcnlibus, glabris. Pedunculi (2-)3-6(-8) mm longi, puberuli,
pilis praecipue antrorse declinatis. Capitula globularia, aurea, (3-)4-5 mm diametro, 25-35-floribus.
Flores 5meri. Sepala petala plus quam dimidia longiora, discreta, linearia. Petala anguste elliptica,
plus minusve discreta, glabra. Ovarium glabrum vel subglabrum. Legumen lineare, arcuatum,
eomplanatum, 2.5-5 cm longum, 2-4 mm latum, saepe undulalum, glabrum vel subglabrum, valde
nitido-resinosum. Semina longitudinalia, elliptica, 3-3.5 mm longa, 2 mm lata, nitido-brunnea,
pleurogramma dislincta, elongata, arillo apicali vel subapicali.
Typus: about halfway between Peak Charles and Peak Eleanora, Western Australia, 14 Aug. 1985,
B.R. Maslin 5796 (holo: PERTH; iso: CANB, K, MEL, NSW).
? A. glutinosa F. Muell. (pro parte); nom. ambiguum. Sec Discussion below.
[A. ixiophylla auct., non Benth. (1842); W.E. Blackall & B.J. Grieve, How to Know Western
Austral. Wildfl. 1: 194 (1954)]
Multiple-stemmed, spreading shrubs 0.5-3 m tall with crown 1-6 m diam., rarely a spindly 2 m
tree. Bark grey, finely fissured at base of stems, smooth above. Branchlets reddish, resinous,
sparingly puberulous with simple, antrorsely curved, often golden, hairs. Stipules persistent,
triangular, less than 0.5 mm long. Phyllodes Oat, lenticular to narrow- or linear-elliptic, somewhat
inequilateral, obtuse to acute, mucro (when present) centric or excentric, very short, pulvinus less
than 1 mm long, blades (1 1-)15-30(-38) mm long, (2-)3-5(-6) mm wide, thin-coriaceous, slightly
curved, glabrous or with few antrorsely curved hairs marginally, pale green, resinous; main nerves
and secondary nerves scarcely distinguishable from one another, anastomoses usually impressed
and forming a fine, regular-meshed reticulum. Gland situated on the upper margin of phyllode
(l-)2-6(-12) mm above pulvinus. Raceme axes 1-6 mm long, usually 2-hcadcd, puberulous, often
resinous, sometimes absent; basal peduncular bracts ovale, persistent, glabrous. Peduncles
(2-)3-6(-8) mm long, puberulous, hairs mainly antrorsely declinate and golden. Flower-heads
globular, golden, (3-)4-5 mm diam., 25-35-llowcrcd. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals more than half as
long as petals, free, linear. Petals narrowly elliptic, all free or some partly connate, glabrous.
Ovary glabrous or with few papillae-like micro-hairs apically. Legumes linear, 2.5-5 cm long, 2-4
mm wide, mostly undulate, sometimes only arcuate, not constricted between seeds, glabrous or few
marginal antrorsely curved micro-hairs, markedly nitid-resinous, especially when young. Seeds
longitudinal, elliptic, 3-3.5 mm long, 2 mm wide, glossy brown; pleurogram distinct, elongate,
narrowly U-shaped, c. 1.2- 1.8 mm long; aril apical to subapical.
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Nuylsia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990)
Selected specimens examined. Top of scarp, Madura, T.E. H. Aplin & M.E. Trudgen 5829 (AD, BM,
BRI, G, PERTH); Muntadgin, E.T. Bailey 629 (PERTH); 5.8 km SSE of Mt Beaumont,
M.A. Burgman 1751 and S. McNee (PERTH); 6.25 km SE of Mickinwobcrt Rock, M.A. Burgman
2089 and S. McNee (PERTH); Frank Hann National Park, D. Butcher 313 (MEL, PERTH); near
Carracarrup Creek, 17 km S of Ravensthorpc, G. Craig 1523 (PERTH); 9 miles [14.5 km] NE of
Kondinin, A.S. George 9876 (PERTH, TLF); Yale Swamp, 47 miles [75.5 km] W of Espcrance,
I. L. Lethbridge 34 (PERTH); c. 12 miles [19 km] SE of Kulin, B.R. Maslin 528 (NSW, PERTH);
Nalyering Wells, 13 miles [21 kmj N of Kcllerberrin on road to Yclbeni, B.R. Maslin 595 (NSW,
PERTH); c. 10 miles [16 km] NNW of Bruce Rock towards Doodlakine, B.R. Maslin 1785
(PERTH); 1 mile [1.6 km] W of Yellowdine on Great Eastern Highway, B.R. Maslin 1838
(PERTH) and 2395 (CANB, K, MEL, PERTH); 4.8 km E of Ravcnsthorpe towards Espcrance,
B.R. Maslin 3449 (BRI, MO, NSW, PERTH); near Hamcrslcy River crossing in Fitzgerald River
National Park, B.R. Maslin 4061 (PERTH); Lake Grace Golf Club, R.F. Maslin s.n. (PERTH
00699500); 1 km W or Lake Cronin, K.R. Newbey 5204 (PERTH); 29 km S of Tadpole Lake, Frank
Hann National Park, K.R. Newbey 5501 (CBG, PERTH); 6 km S ol Peak Charles, Peak Charles
National Park, K.R. Newbey 6461 (PERTH); 3 km NW of Heartbreak Ridge microwave lower,
K.R. Newbey 7053 (PERTH); 24 km SSW of Ml Malcolm, Fraser Range, K.R. Newbey 7638
(PERTH); 32 km SW of Buningonia Spring, c. 70 km SSW of Zanihus, K.R. Newbey 8255
(PERTH); c. 3 km NE of Howick Hill, A.E. Orchard 1135 (PERTH); 1 1 miles [17.6 km] N of Lake
Grace towards Kulin, S. Paust 884 (PERTH); central west side of Chiddarcooping Hill Nature
Reserve, A.S. Weston 14261 (CANB, K, PERTH).
Distribution. South-west Western Australia mainly in the Avon, Roe and Eyre Botanical Districts
but with a few collections from the eastern part of the Coolgardic Botanical District and one outlier
at Madura in the Nullabor Botanical District (1:250,000 maps H50-12, 15, 16; H51-15; H52-13;
150-3, 4, 7, 8, 12; 151-1, 2, 5, 6). Mainly scattered throughout an area bounded by Chiddarcooping
Hill Nature Reserve and Trayning, south to the Fitzgerald River, cast to near Sparkle Hill (c. 100
km NE of Espcrance) and north to the Fraser Range and north-east to near Buningonia Spring; the
Madura collection is from along the Eyre Highway within 175 km of the border with South
Australia, if the collection data are correct.
Habitat. In open shrub mallec or low mallee woodland often in association with Eucalyptus spp.
(E. wandoo , E. platypus, E. salubris, E. transcontinentalis, E. longicornis, E. salmonophloia,
E. redunca), rarely in open savanna or along creek course, on soils of clay, sandy or gravelly loam
or brown, red or white sand.
Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers collected in late May to September; mature fruits with
seeds collected in December and January.
Affinities. Material of the new species has usually been referred to the eastern A. ixiophylla which
differs by its stellate hairs intermixed with simple ones on many parts, by its relatively well-marked
main nerves, by the position of the phyllode-gland at the distal end ol' the pulvinus, pubescent
ovary, and semiconstricled legumes which are dull and villose, at least marginally. A. verricula is
also the nearest relative of A. lobulata.
Synonomy. Acacia glutinosa F. Mucll. was published in Fragm. 4: 6 (1863) with the type indicated
only as having been collected in Western Australia by G. Maxwell. Two sheets at Herb. MEL
which we and others consider to comprise Mueller’s type, each bears a flowering branchlct and a
packet of fruits and seeds. We have checked the protologue, point by point, with the MEL sheets
(1553911 and 1553912) and it is clear that Mueller had this material before him when he described
the species. There is also a sheet at K, bearing only a flowering branchlct, annotated by Mueller as
A. glutinosa, which is surely a part of the type collection. The flowering material at both K and
MEL is labelled in Mueller’s hand as being from the Melbourne botanical garden but one of the
MEL sheets (1553911) is annotated by Mueller as " Acacia ixiophylla Bcnth.", the other (MEL
1553912) as "Acacia glutinosa F. M./ A. ixiophylla var. Bcnth.", also in Mueller’s hand. Both MEL
sheets bear packets containing mature pods and seeds, but only sheet 1553911 is annotated to
suggest the contents were collected by Maxwell, the collector cited in the protologue. This packet
R.S. Cowan & B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany -- 1
199
also has been annotated by Mueller as both A. ixiophylla and as A. glutinosa. Bentham (1864)
synonymized A glutinosa under A. ixiophylla, explaining he could see no real differences between
the two, one from the west, the other from the cast. Certainly the flowering material on the type
sheets is not A. ixiophylla nor does it have anything to do with A. montana as suggested by Maiden
(1916) in his analysis of the confusion surrounding A. glutinosa, A. ixiophylla, A. montana and
A.fuliginea.
Assuming that the flowers and fruits comprising the type of A. glutinosa represent the same
taxon, we are at a loss to suggest what it might be. The fruits could be those of 4. verricula,
although the seeds of this species arc smaller than those in the packets, and its phyllodes shorter,
differently shaped and with totally different venation from the type of A. glutinosa. The
phyllode-nerves of the A. glutinosa Lypc are numerous, immersed and rarely with anastomoses,
while A. verricula phyllodes have a fine, regular reticulum of secondary nerves.
In view of well-documented instances of Mueller’s rather lax curatorial practices, we consider
seriously the possibility that the MEL sheets bear material of two different taxa, the Maxwell seed
collection from Western Australia (possibly A. verricula or close relative) and the cultivated
flowering specimens from the botanical garden, representing a species we are unable to identify.
Because of the uncertainties involved, we are not prepared to lectotypify the name and conclude
that A. glutinosa must be considered a nomen dubium.
Conservation status. Not considered as cither rare or endangered.
Etymology. A. verricula is so-named in allusion to the net-like appearance of the secondary
nervature of the phyllodes.
Acknowledgements
In preparing this paper, we have had the experienced assistance of Suzanne Curry, technical
assistant employed on ABRS grant funds, and we are greatly indebted to her for her patience and
diligence. To John J. Rainbird we are particularly grateful for the high quality illustrations he
prepared.
References
Bentham, G. (1864). "Flora Auslraliensis", vol. 2. (Lovell Reeve & Co.: London.)
Briggs, J.D. & Leigh J.H. (1988). "Rare or 'llireatened Australian plants." Revised edn. (Australian National Parks and
Wildlife Service, Commonwealth of Australia: Canberra.)
Greuter, W. et al (1988). "International Code of Botanical Nomenclature." Rcgnum Vegetabile, vol. 118. (Koeltz Scientific
Books: Konigslein, F.D.R. Germany.)
Maiden, J.H. (1916). Notes on Acacia, (with description of new species), No. 1. J. & Proc. Roy. Soc. New South Wales 49:
502-513.
Maslin, B.R. & Pedley L. (1988). Patterns of distribution of Acacia in Australia. Austral. J. Bot. 36: 385-393.
Pedley, L. (1987). Notes on Racosperma Marlius (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae), 1. Austrobaileya 2(4): 321 -327.
Nuytsia 7(2): 201-208 (1990)
201
Acacia Miscellany 2. Species related to A. deltoidea (Leguminosae:
Mimosoideae: Section Plurinerves) from Western Australia
R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Conservation and Land Management,
P.O. Box 104, Como, Western Australia 6152
Abstract
Cowan, R.S. & B.R. Maslin. Acacia Miscellany — 2. Species related to A. deltoidea (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae:
Section Plurinerves) from Western Australia. Nuytsia 7(2): 201-208 (1990). In addition to a key to distinguish the taxa, two
of which are new (A. vincentii and A. deltoidea subsp. ampla), a new combination under Acacia of Racosperma adenogonia
Pedley is effected .
Introduction
This group of species was treated by Pedley (1987) in a well-illustrated and well-documented
review, so a further publication on the alliance so soon after Pedley’s might appear redundant. The
purpose of this paper, however, is to provide names for two new taxa in the group and to make
available one of Pedley’s names under Acacia; he treated the group as taxa of Racosperma, a course
we arc not yet prepared to follow. Because full, detailed descriptions are available in his paper, it is
principally the new taxa that are described below; A. deltoidea is described in full because we have
extracted from typical A. deltoidea a new species and a new subspecies whose character states alter
Pedley’s circumscription to some extent. Acacia adenogonia is described fully in order to take into
account several additional collections beyond those cited by Pedley.
The taxa of this group are a close-knit assemblage with the possible exception of A. sublanata
which differs in several respects from the other taxa comprising the group. All are from the north
tropical and subtropical zones in the Kimberley region of Western Australia and in the Northern
Territory.
There is a superficial resemblance of this group of taxa to A. adnata F. Muell. and A. comans W.
Fitzg. in the A. latipes alliance, which differs from the A. deltoidea group by the presence of basal
peduncular bracts, separate lateral stipules, and by the lack of a bract on the peduncle above the
base. In form of the phyllodes there is also a superficial similarity to the uninerved, triangular
phyllodes of some Phyllodineae, such as those of Maslin’s "A. biflora group" (1978). Pedley
202
Nuylsia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990)
(1978) included A. pravifolia F. Muell. and A. amblygona Cunn. ex Benth. with the A. deltoidea
group as "the Triangulares group of Acacia section Plurinerves" and there is more than a passing
resemblance between these species and the A. deltoidea group. Both species, however, have
separate, lateral stipules, a bract subtending the base of the peduncles which are otherwise
ebracteate, the heads are few-flowered and the bracteoles are of very different structure and texture
than those of the present group.
The A. deltoidea group is characterized by (1) small, inequilateral, pungent, sessile or
sub-sessile phyllodes; (2) upwardly curving pairs of often partly connate (except A. sublanata and
A. froggattii), persistent, subulate or acicular stipules located on the abaxial side of the phyllode
base (except A. sublanata and A. froggattii), rather than laterally as in most species of Acacia; (3)
all but A. sublanata have at least some of the hairs gland-tipped; (4) the peduncles are solitary,
lacking a bract at their base but occasionally bearing one above their middle; (5) sepals and/or
petals are partly united among themselves; and (6), most strikingly, some of the species have the
staminal filaments united, up to one-fifth their length in A. stipulosa and basally in irregular
fascicles in .4. adengonia. Such union of filaments is known in the 4. lycopodifolia group of
species, which Pedley (1987) suggested as possible relatives, e.g., A. lycopodifolia Cunn. ex Hook,
and A. hippuroides Howard ex Benth., as well as in other unrelated tropical species
All measurements are from herbarium specimens unless otherwise indicated. The un-numbered
taxa in the following key are not treated herein and are included only to indicate relationships.
Key to taxa of A. deltoidea group
1. Most phyllodes broadest below the middle, ovate to ovate-elliptic
2. Phyllodes mostly 5-10 mm long, inequilaterally ovate, acuminate, pungent,
gland often extending beyond phyllode margin in tooth-like projection; seeds
longitudinal in pods 1-4. adenogonia
2. Phyllodes 15-16 mm long, inequilaterally elliptic to elliptic-ovate,
acute, not pungent, gland not extending beyond phyllode margin;
seeds transverse 2b. 4. deltoidea subsp. ampla
1 . Most phyllodes broadest at or above the middle
3. Branchlets villose, hairs crisped, none gland-tipped;
phyllodes broadly obdeltale 4. sublanata
3. Branchlets other than villose, gland-tipped hairs always present; phyllodes of
other shapes
4. Calyx and corolla regularly 5-merous
5. Branchlets with long, gland-tipped hairs and shorter, anLrorsely curved
hairs A. froggattii
5. Branchlets glandular-puberulous, hairs very short and patent sometimes
with longer hairs intermixed
6. Phyllodes 4-6 mm wide, inequilaterally elliptic or
obdeltatc 2a. 4. deltoidea subsp. deltoidea
6. Phyllodes 1.5-2 mm wide, inequilaterally oblong-oblanceolate,
the margin between gland and apex strongly rounded 3.4. vincentii
4. Calyx with up to 1 1 acuminate lobes, corolla 7- or 8-lobed 4. stipulosa
R.S. Cowan & B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany — 2
203
1. Acacia adenogonia (Pedley) Cowan & Maslin, comb. nov. (Figure 1, 0-S)
Basionym: Racosperma adenogonium Pedley, Austrobaileya 2(4): 316 (1987), based on the
following.
A. deltoidea Cunn. ex Don var.? pungens Bcnth., London J. Bot. 1: 333 (1842). Type: Greville
Island, Western Australia, A. Cunningham s.n. (holo: K; iso: BM (probably), PERTH — fragment
ex K).
Illustration. L. Pedley, loc. cit., p. 317, Figure 1, E-I (1987).
Erect to sprawling shrubs 1-2 m tall, spreading to 3 m. Bark smooth, dark red-brown with many
pale lenticels. Branchlets terete, canescent-villose, scattered shorter gland-tipped hairs sometimes
intermixed. Stipules persistent, subulate, 2.5-6.5 mm long, united to 1/3 length, curving upwardly,
rigid, ciliolate, small subulate lobes sometimes present between primary ones. Phyllodes
inequilaterally ovate to lanceolate, acuminate-pungent, sessile to subsessile, (3-)5-10(-15) mm long,
1.54.5 mm wide, coriaceous, crowded-imbricate, patent to inclined, subglabrous to villose,
Figure 1. Some variation in phyllodes of taxa comprising the A. deltoidea alliance. A-B - A. stipulosa; C-D - A.froggattii;
E-G - A. sublanala; H-M - A. deltoidea subsp. deltoidea; N - A. deltoidea subsp. ampla; O-P - Gibb River form of
A. adenogonia; Q-S - coastal, typical form of A. adenogonia; T - A. vincentii. Phyllodes in most cases from
several collections to illustrate intra- and inter-taxon variation in size and form; phyllode of A. vincentii from the
type. All drawn at about 2x
204
Nuyisia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990)
scattered, short gland-tipped hairs sometimes present; nerves 3 or 4 on each phyllode face; gland 1,
situated on upper margin of phyllodcs, often projecting in short tube beyond phyllode-margin.
Peduncles 7.5-14 mm long, solitary, villose, basally ebracteate, occasionally bracleale above
middle; heads globular, 4-6 mm diam., 60-92-flowcred; bractcoles cxscrted in bud, linear to
narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, ciliate. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals less than 1/2 corolla-length,
1/2-united, ciliolale, lobes linear from ciliolate basal cup. Petals 3/4-united, lobes ovate,
puberulous. Filaments united irregularly in fascicles at the base. Legumes linear, raised over and
irregularly slightly constricted between seeds, 35-85 mm long, 5-6.5 mm wide, thin-coriaceous,
curved, canescent-puberulous with intermixed longer, gland-tipped hairs. Seeds longitudinal,
elliptic-oblong, 6-6.5 mm long, 3.5 mm wide, compressed, dull brown-black; pleurogram oblong,
closed; aril apical.
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Gibb River Road, 1.5 km W of Lennard
River Gorge turn-off, G.W. Carr 41 15 & A.C. Beauglehole 47893 (BRI, CANB, K, MEL, PERTH);
Napier Broome Bay, 7 km S of West Bay, EA. Chesterfield 313 with S.J. Forbes & .1.11. Willis
(PERTH); Pirn Hill, E.A. Chesterfield 385 (PERTH); [Prince] Regent River, Voyage of Bathhurst in
1821-2, A. Cunningham 323 (PERTH, photograph of Herb. BM specimen); "Naturalist Island" in
Prince Frederick Harbour at mouth of Hunter River, M. Evans 9 (PERTH); 0.5 km N of Pirn Hill
between Napier Broome Bay and Vansittart Bay, 17 km NNW of Kalumburu Mission, S.J. Forbes
2176 with J.H. Willis (PERTH); Plain Creek near Beverley Springs Homestead, NE of Derby, K.F.
Kenneally 1988 (PERTH); "Naturalist Island" in Prince Frederick Harbour, W of entrance to Hunter
River, K.F. Kenneally 9926 (PERTH); Gibb River Road, c. 17 miles [27.4 km] N from turnoff to Ml
House Homestead, 24 July 1974, J.H. Willis & A.C. Beauglehole s.n. NSW, PERTH 00709255);
Augustus Island, Bonaparte Archipelago, P.G. Wilson 10702 (PERTH) and 18 May 1972, P.G.
Wilson s.n. (PERTH 00709263); Uwins Island, Brunswick Bay, P.G. Wilson 1 1445 (PERTH).
Distribution. Northern Western Australia in north-west and southern extremity of Gardner
Botanical District and north central Fitzgerald Botanical District (1:250,000 maps D51-16, D52-9
and E51-4, 8). Occurs in scattered populations in West Kimberley, in the Bonaparte Archipelago
and Napier Broome Bay areas and inland at Kimberley Downs Station, Beverley Springs Station
and Phillips Range. The available material appears to indicate two populations comprising the
species, one along the north coast of Western Australia and the nearby offshore islands, the other
along the Gibb River road in the area of Beverley Springs Homestead, about 150 km southward.
Habitat. Grows on sandy soil usually on sandstone in woodland.
Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering specimens have been collected between May and
August, and legumes with mature seeds have been collected in July and August from plants still in
flower.
Conservation status. The wide distribution of this species suggests that it is probably neither rare
nor endangered.
Affinities. Superficially, A. adenogonia appears very similar to 4. deltoidea and they arc clearly
related but A. adenogonia has phyllodes that arc widest below their middle, different branchlct
pubescence (hairs shorter and mostly gland-tipped in A. deltoidea ; villose with only scattered
gland-tipped hairs in A. adenogonia ), often cxscrted phyllode glands and narrower legumes with
longitudinally oriented seeds. It is closer to A. froggaltii and A. sublanala with respect to
orientation of the seeds in the pods. Bentham described it as a variety of A. deltoidea questionably,
saying it might represent a distinct species.
Variation. The southern population has somewhat larger phyllodes which arc villose, rather than
obscurely puberulous as in the coastal form. We have not recognized infraspecific laxa largely
because collections from the region between the two populations are inlrequent and we expect
future collecting to show that these are extremes in a north to south cline, unworthy of lormal
recognition.
R.S. Cowan & B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany — 2
205
2. Acacia deltoidea Cunn. ex Don, Gen. Hist. 2: 401 (1832).
Type : Montague Sound, Western Australia, 1820, A. Cunningham 293 (lecto: BM, fide L. Pedley,
Austrobaileya 2(4): 315 (1987); iso: K, US).
Racosperma deltoideum (Cunn. ex Don) Pedley, Austrobaileya 2(4): 315 (1987).
Illustrations. F. Mueller, Iconogr. Austral. Acacia, dec. 7, pi. [1] (1887), as A. stipulosa ;
J.H. Maiden, J. & Proc. Roy. Soc. New South Wales 53, pi. 13, figs. 7-17 (1920); L. Pedley, loc.
cit., p. 319, Figure 2, J-N (1987).
Shrubs 1.5-3 m tall. Bark grey to dark brown, fissured. Branchlets glandular puberulous with
intermixed longer hairs, sometimes ± resinous. Stipules persistent, subulate, partly united, 1 .5-4
mm long, upwardly curving, ciliolate or glandular ciliolate. Phyllodes subsessile, inequilaterally
cuneate, elliptic, ovate or broadly obdeltate, with a gland-bearing angle on die upper margin, ±
mucronate-pungent, 6-16 mm long, 4-7 mm wide, thinly coriaceous to coriaceous, congested,
imbricate, patent to ascending, glabrous or ± glandular puberulous on faces, and generally on
margins, bright green; 3 or 4 longitudinal main nerves on each phyllodc face inconspicuous to
prominulous; gland 1, situated on upper margin of phyllode, rarely projecting beyond margin.
Peduncles (6-)10-25 mm long, solitary, glandular puberulous, basally ebracteate, rarely with a
median peduncular bract; heads globular, dark golden, 5-6 mm diam., (30-)56-73-flowered,
compact; bracteoles ± exserted in bud, spathulate with blade lanceolate and long-acuminate.
Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 1/2-2/3 corolla length, 1/3-1/2-united, lobes linear, glandular-puberulous
apically. Petals 2/3-3/4-united, lobes ovate. Stamens free. Legumes oblong, slightly raised over
but not constricted between seeds, 28-42 mm long, 9-12 mm wide, thinly coriaceous, straight,
obliquely reticulate-ncrvcd, base rounded, apex roslriform. Seeds obliquely oriented, 5 mm long,
2.5 mm wide, compressed, dull dark-brown; pleurogram closed; aril apical.
2a. Acacia deltoidea Cunn. ex Don subsp. deltoidea. (Figure 1 , H-M).
Phyllodes coriaceous, inequilaterally cuneate, elliptic or triangular, excentrically
mucronate-pungent, 6-8.5 mm long, 4-6 mm wide, glandular-puberulous, often obscurely.
Peduncles 10-12 mm long, glandular-puberulous, rarely with a bract about the middle; bracteoles ±
exserted in bud.
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA; 3.7 km NW of Mt Daglish, J.J. Alford 558
(PERTH); near Manning Gorge, Ml Barnett Station, /. Cowie 330 (PERTH); Fitzroy River, 1879,
A. Forrest s.n. (NSW, PERTH 00698172); creek entering inlet of Talbot Bay, 23 km SE of
Cockatoo Island, P.A. Fryxell & L.A. Craven 3893 (CANB, PERTH); Plain Creek, c. 10 km W of
Beverley Springs Homestead, A.S. George 12228 (PERTH); Manning Gorge, A.S. George 15176
(PERTH); above the headwaters of the Helby River, T.G. Hartley 14819 (PERTH); Prince Regent
River Reserve, K.F. Kenneally 2081 (K, MEL, PERTH); Euro Gorge, Drysdale River National
Park, K.F. Kenneally 4363 (BRI, PERTH, TLF); Steep Island off Raft Point at entrance to Doubtful
Bay, K.F. Kenneally 9681 (BRI, K, PERTH); 5.7 km NW of Gibb Rivcr-Kalumburu Road
intersection, travelling along old Mitchell River Station Road, B.L. Koch 568 (CANB, K, PERTH);
Boomerang Bay, Bigge Island, N.G. Marchani 72/116 (PERTH); High Cliffy Islands, E of
Montgomery Island, 24 May 1987, L.M. Marsh s. n. (PERTH 00870021); Galvans Gorge, 14.8 km
5 of Barnett River on Gibb River - Derby road, J.G. & M.H. Simmons 1901 (PERTH); Stewart
River valley, c. 82 km NNE of Derby, 13 km NNW of "Kimbollon" Homestead, I.R. Telford 6310
6 G. Butler (PERTH).
Distribution. Northern Western Australia through most of the Gardner Botanical District and
adjoining north-west part of the Fitzgerald Botanical District (1:250,000 maps D51-12, 15, 16;
D52-10, 13; and E51-3, 4, 8). Occurs in scattered populations in the Kimberley in Buccaneer and
Bonaparte Archipelago areas and near Cambridge Gulf extending inland to Mt Barnett and
Drysdale River National Park. The A. Forrest collection cited above extends the range southward;
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Nuytsia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990)
the precise locality is not known but from his journal we deduce the collection was made in
grid-cell E51-8, not actually on the Fitzroy River but in its general area.
Habitat. Grows in sandy soil usually on sandstone in open scrub and, where the soil is deeper, in
woodland.
Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering specimens have been collected in March and between
May and August; legumes with mature seeds have been collected in May, June and August from
plants still in flower.
Conservation status. Not considered rare or endangered.
2b. Acacia deltoidea Cunn. ex Don subsp. ampla Cowan & Maslin, subsp. nov. (Figure 1, N).
Phyllodia firme charlacea, inaequilateraliter elliptica ad clliplico-ovata, contracto-acuta,
mucronata, 15-16 mm longa, 5.5-7 mm lata. Pedunculi 18-25 mm longi, glandulan-puberuh,
plerumque supra medium bracteam ferenti, bracleolis non exsertis in alabastro maturo.
Typus- Lawley R. gorge, Western Australia, 29 July 1921, C.A. Gardner 996 (holo: PERTH; iso:
NSW, PERTH - C.A. Gardner "1496”).
Phyllodes thinly coriaceous, inequilaterally elliptic to elliptic-ovate, acute, mucronate,
15-16 mm long, 5.5-7 mm wide. Peduncles 18-25 mm long, glandular-puberulous, usually with a
narrowly lanceolate bract above its middle; bracteoles not exserted in bud.
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: base ot Bougainville Peninsula on E shore
of Admiralty Gulf, P.A. Fryxell, L.A. Craven & ./. McD. Stewart 4782 (CANB, PERTH).
Distribution. Northern Western Australia in northern part of the Gardner Botanical District
(1:250,00 maps D51-12 and D52-9). Known only from two localities separated by 60 km in the
Admiralty Gulf area.
Habitat. Grows in woodland on sandstone.
Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering specimens have been collected in June (with legumes
with sub-mature seeds) and in July.
Conservation status. 2K, following the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988). This is a poorly known
taxon that may be rare, but the area is very poorly collected and dilticuli ot access.
Discussion. The differences separating subsp. ampla from the typical subspecies arc mostly
quantitative but they combine to produce quite a different appearing plant. Pcdlcy (1987)
considered it to be only a large-phyllode form of this species but it is so different, especially in
phyllode form and size, that we prefer recognizing it as a subspecies, thereby calling it to the
attention of future monographers.
Note Gardner’s collection numbers 1496 and 996 do refer to the same collection, as Pedley (1987)
presumed; the first is the Western Australian Forest Deparunent number, the second Gardner’s own
herbarium number.
Etymology. The subspecies name refers to the size of the phyllodes which are much larger than
those of the typical subspecies.
R.S. Cowan & B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany -- 2
207
3. Acacia vincentii Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. (Figure 1 , T).
Frulex 3 m altus, ramis longis, arcuatis. Stipulae persistentes, setaceae, connatae basaliter, 2-2.5
mm longae, glandulari-puberuli sursum. Phyllodia inaequilateraliter oblongo-oblanceolata, apicc
mucronato-pungenti, circa lateralibus ad axcm longum, 4.5-5 mm longa, 1.5-2 mm lata, ascendentia
ad erecta, parce puberula. Pedunculi 9-9.5 mm longi, solitarii; capilulae oblongoideae, circa 5.5
mm diametro, 41-floribus, bractcolis longo-exscrtisin alabaslris maturis. Flores pentamcri, sepalis
petalis 3/4 longioribus quam 1/2-connata corolla, connatis, lobis linearibus, ciliolalis. Legumen
anguste oblongum, marginibus crenatis, 25-55 mm longum, 5-10 mm latum, arcuatum, dense
glandulo-pubcrulum.
Typus: 6 miles NE of F. B./33 [c. 10 km WSW of Mt Blythe], Edkins Range, West Kimberley
Region, Western Australia, Aug. 1905, W. V. Fitzgerald 1421 (holo: NSW 104428; iso: NSW,
PERTH).
Illustration: L. Pedley, Austrobaileya 2(4): 317, Figure 1 , J, K (1987).
Shrubs 3 m tall with long, arching branches. Branchlets terete, glandular-puberulous, slender.
Stipules persistent, setaceous, united basally, often a setaceous lobe on each stipule between
primary lobes, 2-2.5 mm long, curved upwardly, not rigid, sparingly glandular-puberulous to
glabrous. Phyllodes inequilaterally oblong-oblanccolale, upper margin conspicuously rounded
between apex and gland, apex mucronate-pungent and ± perpendicular to long axis of phyllode,
pulvinus 0.3-0.4 mm long, blades 4.5-5 mm long, 1.5-2 mm wide, coriaceous, ascending to erect,
sparingly pubcrulous; 2 or 3 nerves on each phyllode face prominulous; gland 1, minute, situated on
upper margin above middle of phyllode. Peduncles 9-9.5 mm long, solitary, ebracteate throughout,
puberulous with many hairs gland-tipped; heads oblongoid, c. 5.5 mm diam., 41-flowered;
bracteoles long-exserled in bud, spathulate with blade lanceolate, acuminate, puberulous and
ciliolate. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals 3/4 length of petals, 1/2-unitcd, linear lobes and margin of
basal cup ciliolate. Petals 1/2-united, lobes puberulous. Stamen filaments free. Legumes narrowly
oblong, not constricted between seeds, one or both margins crcnate, 25-55 mm long, 5-10 mm wide,
curved, obliquely reticulate transversely, densely glandular puberulous. Seeds (immature) oblique,
black, shiny; pleurogram U-shaped, 1/2 as long as seed; aril small, apical.
Distribution. Northern Western Australia in the south-west of the Gardner Botanical District
(1:250,000 map E51-4). Known only by the type collection from the Edkins Range, West
Kimberley.
Habitat. Collected from a sandstone plateau. No other data available.
Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering specimens were collected in August along with
immature legumes.
Conservation status. IX, using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988) but its status cannot be
reliably determined until more information is available.
Affinities. The type collection of A. vincentii has been variously treated: Fitzgerald himself called it
A. stipulosa on his labels; then Maiden (1920) treated it as A. deltoidea (incorrectly and
inexplicably, citing April 1905 as the collecting date, although Fitzgerald gave August as the date in
his field diary), at least partly because he considered A. stipulosa to be conspecific with
A. deltoidea', finally, Pedley (1987) viewed the material of the new species as an "aberrant
individual" of A. deltoidea. While related to A. deltoidea, A. adenogonia and A.froggatlii, the new
species is really quite distinct. Its obliquely transverse seeds and glandular-puberulous vegetative
parts relate it most closely to A. deltoidea subsp. deltoidea. From all elements of the "A. deltoidea
group", A. vincentii differs in its setose stipules, the shape and size of the phyllodes, its
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Nuyisia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990)
long-exserted bracteoles in bud, oblongoid flower heads and in its legume having one or both
margins crenate.
The new species is described, admittedly on less than the sort of complete data one hopes to
have at hand when describing new taxa, because it is very distinct and a name is needed for it in the
account of the Kimberley flora being prepared at PERTH, as well as for the Flora of Australia.
Note. The type locality data have been augumented beyond those on the label itself, by notes from
Fitzgerald’s diary/field book of the Kimberley Trigonometric Expedition of 1905.
Etymology. This species is named for the collector of the only known material, William Vincent
Fitzgerald, to perpetuate the memory of a keen field observer and one of Western Australia’s most
respected early taxonomists.
Acknowledgements
We are most grateful to Diana Corbyn, technical assistant employed with ABRS grant lunds, lor
her assistance generally but especially in bringing together ecologic, phonologic and geographic
data involved in this study. John Rainbird prepared the illustrations and we are pleased to
acknowledge his contribution.
References
Briggs, J.D. and J.H. Leigh (1988). "Rare or threatened Australian plants." Revised edition. (National Parks and Wildlife
Service, Commonwealth of Australia: Canberra.)
Maiden, J.H. (1920). Notes on Acacia, No. IV, (with descriptions of new species). J. & Proc. Roy. Soc. New South Wales
53: 172-233.
Maslin, B.R. (1978). Studies in the genus Acacia (Mimosaceae) - 8: A revision of the Uninerves-Triangulares, in part (the
tetramerous species). Nuytsia 2(5): 266-333.
Pedley, L. (1978). A revision of Acacia Mill, in Queenland. Austrobaileya 1: 75-234.
Pedley, L. (1987). Racosperma deltoideum (Cunn. ex G. Don) Pedley (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae) and related species in
northern Australia. Austrobaileya 2(4): 314-320.
Nuytsia 7(2): 209-219 (1990)
209
Acacia Miscellany 3. Some new microneurous taxa of Western Australia
related to A. multilineata ( Leguminosae:Mimosoideae: Section Plurinerves)
from Western Australia
R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Conservation and Land Management,
P.O. Box 104, Como, Western Australia 6152
Abstract
Cowan, R.S. & B.R. Maslin. Acacia Miscellany — 3. Some new microneurous taxa of Western Australia related to
A. multilineata (LeguminosaerMimosoideae: Section Plurinerves, from Western Australia. Nuytsia 7(2): 209-219 (1990).
Five new species and one new variety are described (A. caesariala, A. mimica, A. mimica var. angusta, A. palagiala,
A. torticarpa and A. unguicula) and A. multilineata W. Fitzg. is re-described. A key is included to enable users to distinguish
the taxa.
Introduction
Acacia multilineata W. Fitzg. is a species of Western Australia with "microneurous" phyllode
nervature (cf. Maslin & Pedley 1988 for definition). We use this term to refer informally to groups
characterized by phyllodes with numerous, fine, closely parallel, longitudinal nerves, lacking
anastomoses between them. Members of the 'Acacia multilineata group’ have persistent stipules
and the main longitudinal nerves, as well as usually the lesser nerves, are clearly defined and raised,
often strongly so. The closest relative of this group of species is A. lineolata and the taxa related to
it; the ’A. lineolata alliance’ differs in having phyllode nervature that is less strongly raised,
sometimes scarcely visible, and most of the taxa in the group have more or less linear phyllodes.
Both groups are native to the south-western region of Western Australia. In the following key,
A. ancistrophylla and A. lineolata arc included because of their close relationship to A. multilineata,
but not described.
This is the third in a series of papers by one or more of the PERTH Wattle Team. The series is
designed to give full descriptions and/or notes concerning new or previously described taxa, to
present new combinations, lcctotypifications, etc. in advance of their more abbreviated treatment in
the Flora of Australia. Measurements arc from dried material unless otherwise stated. In the text,
taxa that are described are arranged alphabetically.
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Nuytsia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990)
Key to the taxa
1. Stipules spinescent 6. A. unguicula
1. Stipules not spinescent
2. Phyllodes with yellow marginal nerves
3. Heads pedunculate; flowers 4-merous; phyllode blade
c. equally thick at centre of phyllode and at marginal nerve 4. A. patagiata
3. Heads sessile; flowers 5-merous; phyllode blades about
twice as thick as marginal nerves (2. A. mimicd)
4. Phyllodes (18-)20-30(-35) mm long, 3-8 times longer than wide.
Seeds mottled, usually light grey-brown on dark tan 2a. A. mimica var. mimica
4. Phyllodes (25-)40-80(-105) mm long, 12-45 times
longer than wide, ± compressed. Seeds molded,
usually dark tan on light grey-brown 2b. A. mimica var. angusla
2. Phyllodes lacking yellow marginal nerves
5. Stipules subulate or caudate-subulate, 24 mm long
6. Flower heads sessile, bracteate basal ly;
sepals and petals ± 2/3 united 5. A. torticarpa
6. Flower heads shortly pedunculate, non-bracteate,
sepals and petals free 1. A. caesariata
5. Stipules not subulate, much shorter
7. Phyllodes 1.5-2 cm long with stomata obscure or at least not obviously
raised; stipules caducous A. ancistrophylla
7. Phyllodes about 3 cm long with raised stomata between
the nerves (xlO magnification)
8. Apex of phyllodes recurved, not at all ± pungent,
phyllodes straight or shallowly curved A. lineolata
8. Apex of phyllodes straight, pungent,
phyllodes mostly strongly incurved 3. A. multilineata
1. Acacia caesariata Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. (Figure 1)
Frutices densi rotundato-triangulari vel plano-coronati 0.6-1. 3 m aid, ramulis tomentosis.
Slipulae persistentes, subulatae, 2-4 mm longae, pilosae. Phyllodia anguste oblongo-oblanccolata,
rotundato-obtusa et mucronata, versus basim attenuata, 20-45 mm longa, 3-10 mm lata, erecta, recta
ad leviter incurvala, tomentosa, tandem glabrcscentia, 1-3 nervis primariis in quoque superficie et
nervis secondariis numerosis, salientibus, glande plus minusve 2 mm super pulvino. Pedunculi
(1.5-)3-4 mm longi, 2 in quoque axilla, lomentosi. Capitula globularia, 4 mm diametro, 18-20-
floribus. Flores 5-meri. Sepala pctalis plus minusve dimidia breviora, linearia, discreta. Petala
discrela, glabra. Legumina anguste oblonga, 12-25 mm longa, 2.5-3 mm lata, chartacea, arcuata ad
irregulariter flexuosa, pilosa. Semina longitudinalia, ovalia, elliptica vel oblonga, 2.5-3 mm longa,
1.2-1. 8 mm lata, nitida, nigra; pleurogramma arcuata, 0.3-0.5 mm long; arillo apicali, galeato.
Figure 1. Flowering branchlet, englarged portion of phyllode to show nervature and fruit of new taxa of Acacia. A-B -
A. caesar iata. C-D - A. torticarpa. E-F - A. mimica var. mimica. G-H A. mimica var. angusta. I-J -
A. patiagiata, K-N - A. unguicula. A-B drawn from M.D. Tindale 3720; C-D from C.A. Gardner 7621; E-F from
S. Paust 677 (flowering) and B R . Maslin 4065 (fruiting); G-H from P.G. Wilson 5417 (flowering) and
K.R.Newbey 1614 (fruiting); I-J from BK. Maslin 3460 (flowering) and G. Craig 1675 (fruiting); K-N from
H R. Maslin 4240.
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Nuytsia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990)
Typus: 30.5 km W of Kununoppin towards Wyalkatchem, Western Australia, 26 August 1973,
B.R. Maslin 3405 (holo: PERTH; iso: AD, CANB, K, MEL, NSW, NY).
Dense, rounded-triangular- or flat-crowned shrubs 0.6-1. 3 m tall, spreading 2-3 in diam. Bark
grey, rough at stem bases, smooth on branches. Branchlels ± terete, slightly ribbed, lomentose.
New growth white-tomentosc. Stipules persistent, subulate, 2-4 mm long, straight, chartaceous,
pilose or pubcrulous. Phyllodes narrowly oblong-oblanccolalc, rounded-obtuse, mucronate, mucro
short, straight or slightly curved, brown, hard, ± coarsely pungent, base attenuate, pulvinus 0.5-1
mm long, blades 20-45 mm long, 3-10 mm wide, coriaceous, ascending to erect, straight to slightly
incurved, lomentose, tardily glabrescent, dark green or grey-green; 1-3 main nerves on each face
strongly salient, light-coloured, distant, the inter-nerve spaces 5 or more times wider than width of
main nerves, occasionally a few anastomoses evident, stomata not visible, numerous secondary
nerves less raised or all nerves about equally raised. Gland one, situated on upper margin of
phyllode ± 2 mm above pulvinus. Peduncles (1.5-)3-4 mm long, 2 per axil, tomentose; basal
peduncular bracts ovate, acute, scarious, c. 2 mm long, brown, glabrous except sometimes lightly
appressed pubcrulous on abaxial surface along midnerve. Flower-heads globular, dark lemon-
yellow, 4 mm diam., 18-20-flowered. Bracleoles linear-fusiform to narrowly oblong. Flowers
5-merous. Sepals c. 1/2 petal length, linear, slightly expanded at apex, free. Petals free, glabrous.
Legumes narrowly oblong, 12-25 mm long, 2.5-3 mm wide, scarcely raised over and not constricted
between seeds, chartaceous, arcuate to irregularly flexuose (old valves coiled), pilose, light brown.
Seeds longitudinal, oval, elliptic or oblong, 2.5-3 mm long, 1.2- 1.8 mm wide, compressed, glossy
black; pleurogram arcuate, 0. 3-0.5 mm long; aril apical, 1/2 as long as seed, galeate, white.
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 16.5 km E ol Korrelocking on road to
Kununoppin, R.S. Cowan A738 & B.R. Maslin (PERTH); N of Bungulla towards Wyalkatchem,
B.R. Maslin 3399 (AD, BRI, CANB, G, K, MEL, NSW, PERTH); E of Korrelocking, B.R Maslin
4453 (PERTH); W of Kununoppin towards Wyalkatchem, M.D. Tindale 100 and E.M. Bennett
(PERTH); 3.2 km SW of Yelbini on Wyalkalchem-Kununoppin road, M.D. Tindale 3720 (AD, B,
BRI, CANB, L, MEL, MO, NSW, PERTH, US).
Distribution. South-west Western Australia in Avon Botanical District (1:250,000 map H50-15).
Geographically restricted and poorly collected species of the Bungulla-Kununoppin area.
Habitat. In mallee scrub and eucalypt woodland on hard gritty loam or clay.
Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers in August— September; mature legumes with seed
collected in January.
Affinities. Most closely allied to A. torticarpa which has partly united sepals and pubescent petals,
sessile flower heads, spathulate bracteoles, and usually narrower, differently shaped phyllodes; the
different shape may well be only a function of the width. Superficially, A. caesariata resembles
A. multilineata but the tomentose branchlcts and phyllodes of the new species readily separate the
two taxa. There is a very superficial similarity to A. consobrina but phyllodes of the latter have
conspicuous anastomoses between the primary nerves, in addition to other differences.
Conservation status. 2E [K], using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988).
Etymology. The specific name refers to the general "hairiness” of the plant (from caesariatus , Latin
for covered with hair or long-haired).
2. Acacia mimica Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov.
Frutices 0.3-2.5 m alti, 0.6-3 m diametro extendentia, ramulis appresso-pubcrulis,
glabrcscentibus, saepe nodosis. Phyllodia anguste elliptica usque ad oblanceolaio-oblonga vcl
lincaria usque ad oblanceolato-linearia, acuta, obtusa vel rotundato-obtusa, plerumque mucronulata.
R.S. Cowan & B.R. Maslin, Acacia MisceLlany — 3
213
mucrone atro-brunneo crasso et obtuso, ad basem acuta, pul vino 1-1.5 mm longo, puberulo, lamina
2-10 cm longa, 2-7 mm lata, coriacca vcl rigido-coriacea, patentia usque ad erecta, levitcr ad valdc
incurvata, plus minusve glauca, subtiliter et uniformitcr multincrvia, nervis salientibus, leviter
pravis, lucidis, nervo marginali luteo, promincnti, glande basali. Capitula sessilia, globularia vel
subglobularia, 7-8 mm diametro in vivo, pedunculi bractea basalis ovata ad triangulari-ovata,
abaxialiter puberula, (9-)15-20(-27)-floribus, bracteolis unilaterale peltatis, abaxialiter pubcrulis,
cum pilis glandularibus rubris. Flores 5-meri. Sepala pelalis 1/2-2/3 breviora, saltern 3/4-connata,
lobis rotundatis vel truncatis, rubro-ciliolatis. Petala discreta, glabra. Legumina lincaria, 25-65 mm
longa, 2-4 mm lata, recta usque ad valde curvala, glabra. Semina longitudinalia, ovalia, clliplica vel
oblongo-elliptica, 2-3.5 mm longa, 1.5-2 mm lata, nitida, maculata, plcurogramma oblonga, 0.5 mm
longa; areola cinerca; arillus apicalis.
Typus: 11.2 km SW of Dowerin towards Goomalling, Western Australia, 13 August 1971,
B.R. Maslin 2015 (holo: PERTH; iso: CANB, K, MEL, NSW, NY).
Dense, rounded, obconic, erect or semi-prostrate shrubs 0.3-2. 5 m tall, spreading 0.6-3 m diam.
Branches often gnarled, peripheral ones horizontal, central ones erect. Bark on young branchlets
red-brown, becoming light-grey, smooth except lightly fissured or fibrous from main branches to
base. Branchlets appressed puberulous, glabresccnt. Phyllodes flat but blades thicker than at the
marginal nerve, narrowly elliptic to oblanccolate-oblong, or linear to oblanceolate-linear, acute to
obtuse to rounded-obtuse, mucronulate, mucro dark-brown, thick and blunt, base acute, pulvinus
1-1.5 mm long, blades 2-10 cm long, 2-7 mm wide, coriaceous to rigid-coriaceous, patent to erect,
glabrous except puberulous at least on upper surface of pulvinus, slightly to strongly incurved,
usually subglaucous to glaucous, or only green, finely and uniformly mullinerved, nerves salient,
not straight, occasionally anastomosing, ± shiny on surface, inter-nerve spaces about 3 limes as
wide as nerves, marginal nerve narrow, prominent, yellow, especially towards apex. Gland one,
situated on upper margin of phyllode at distal end of pulvinus. Flower-heads sessile, globular to
subglobular, light- to mid-golden, 8 mm long, 7 mm diam. (fresh), subtended by a scries of
bract-like bracteoles and the larger basal peduncular bract, this ovate to triangular-ovate, puberulous
abaxially, ciliolate with at least some glandular, red micro-hairs, (9-)15-20(-27)-flowercd.
Bracteoles unilaterally peltate, stipilalc, biadc oblate, ciliolate, puberulous abaxially with glandular,
red micro-hairs. Flowers 5-mcrous. Sepals 1/3-2/3 petal length, 3/4 to completely united, lobes
rounded or truncate, often puberulous on central nerve, ciliolate, mostly with red micro-hairs.
Petals free, glabrous. Ovary papillale-puberulous. Legumes linear, only slightly raised over and
weakly constricted between seeds, 25-65 mm long, 2-4 mm wide, subercct, crustosc, straight to
weakly curved, glabrous. Seeds longitudinal, sometimes somewhat obliquely, oval to elliptic or
oblong-elliptic, 2-3.5 mm long, 1.5-2 mm wide, 1.5 mm thick, glossy, mottled with small, paler
markings on dark-tan, or darker markings on lighter background; plcurogram U-shaped, 0.5 mm
long; areole grey; funicle/aril in two loose loops over apex of seed.
Affinities. This wide-ranging species (Avon, Roe and Eyre Botanical Districts) has yellow marginal
nerves on the phyllodes, a character shared with the closely related A. patagiata which has
impressed nerves and tetramerous Bowers.
Variation. The two varieties comprising A. mimica are most obviously different in their phyllode
proportions. The northern, broad-phyllode form (var. mimica ) extends south and actually into the
range of var. angusta which follows an east/west line just N of Albany to Mt Burdett, east of
Esperance. The seed difference noted is interesting but may not be sustained by additional fruiting
collections.
Etymology. The specific name refers to the considerable similarity in phyllode morphology of this
species and A. patagiata. i.e., A. mimica mimics its relative in respect to several morphological
character states (from mimicus, latinized form of Greek mimikos , for imitative).
214
Nuytsia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990)
2a. Acacia mimica var. mimica (Figure 1)
Phyllodes narrowly elliptic to oblanceolaie-oblong, usually obtuse to rounded-obtuse,
(18-)20-30(-35) mm long, (3-)4-6(-7) mm wide, 3-8 times longer than wide. Seeds oval to elliptic,
2-3 mm long, mottled light grey-brown on dark tan.
Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Bruce Rock, Sept. 1933, E.T. Bailey s.n.
(PERTH 00188093); North Bungalla Reserve, 11 km N of Bungalla on road to Yorkrakine, R.S.
Cowan A743 & B.R. Maslin (PERTH); Kukcrin, Sept. 1934, C.A. Gardner s.n. (PERTH 00188107);
about 29 km due NW of Bruce Rock, B.R. Maslin 2365 (K, PERTH); 4 mi [6.4 km] E of Nyabing,
K. Newbey 414 (PERTH); 10 mi [16 km] E of Jerramungup, /C Newbey 783 (CANB, PERTH); 1 mi
[1.6 km] N of Bendering, K. Newbey 3224 (BM, PERTH); between Lake Grace and Lake Biddy
near Buniche, N. Perry 539 (PERTH); 7.7 km E of Goomalling, P. Roberts 1 I2A (PERTH).
Distribution. South-west Western Australia in Avon, Roe and Eyre Botanical Districts (1:250,000
maps H50-14, 15; 150-3, 7, 8). Occurs sporadically from near Goomalling SSE to near
Jerramungup.
Habitat. Yellow to brown sand and sandy loam, gravel or pale brown clay on hillsides and sand
plains.
Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers in August — September. The only mature legumes with
seeds collected in December.
Conservation status. 3C, using criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988).
2n3b. Acacia mimica var. angusta Cowan & Maslin, var. nov. (Figure 1)
A var. mimica phyllodiis linearibus ad oblanccolato-lincaribus, (25-)40-80(-105) mm longis,
2-3.5(-4.5) mm latis, 12-45-plo longioribus quam latioribus, seminibus oblong-ellipticis, 3-3.5 mm
longis differt.
Typus: 8 km S of Ravensthorpe on road to Hopctoun, Western Australia, 13 August 1968,
P.G. Wilson 7060 (holo: PERTH; iso: CANB, K, NSW, NY).
Phyllodes linear to oblanceolate-linear, usually acute, (25-)40-80(-105) mm long, 2-3.5(-4.5)
mm wide, 12-45 times longer than wide. Seeds oblong-elliptic, 3-3.5 mm long, mottled dark-tan on
pale grey-brown.
Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 28 mi [45 km] NW of Fitzgerald River
Inlet, K.M. Allan 329 (BM, BRI, PERTH); 31.25 km SE of Ml Burdett, M.A. Burgman 1690 and
S.McNee (K, PERTH); 5 km S of Borden, P.E. Conrick 1661 (PERTH); 0.4 km E of
Ravensthorpe-Hopetoun road on Elvcrtdon Rd., R.S. Cowan A758 & B.R. Maslin (PERTH); Susetta
River above junction with Fitzgerald River, 34° 00’ S, 119° 21' E, A. 5. George 10007 (K, PERTH);
Esperance Location 1762 near Scaddan, H.E. Knox 13 (PERTH); 4 km S of Ravensthorpe towards
Hopetoun, B.R. Maslin 2562 (AD, BRI, CANB, NY, PERTH); near West River crossing, 37 km W
of Ravensthorpe towards Jerramungup, B.R. Maslin 2579A (PERTH); 21 km W of Ravensthorpe
towards Jerramungup, B.R. Maslin 3468 (AD, BRI, MEL, NSW, NY, PERTH); 12 mi [19 km] SE
of Ongerup, K. Newbey 1295 (CANB, PERTH); 16 km SW of Ravensthorpe, K. Newbey 9458 (B,
G, MELU, MO, PERTH, Z).
Distribution. South-west Western Australia in Roe and Eyre Botanical Districts (1:250,000 maps
150-8, 11, 12; 151-5, 6). Variety angusta occurs to the south of the typical variety (except for one
population of var. mimica from near Jerramungup). Most of the collections are lrom the
Borden-Ravensthorpe area but there are two from farther east, near Scaddan and near Mt Burdett
(c. 100 km and 140 km east of Ravens tliorpe respectively).
R.S. Cowan & B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany — 3
215
Habitat. Often on clay, sandy clay or gravelly clay but also on sandy or stony loam, in open areas
in low shrub malice or tall shrubland.
Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering July — September (early October); legumes with mature
seeds collected in December.
Conservation status. 3C, using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988).
3. Acacia multilineata W. Fitzg., J. Western Australian Nat. Hist. Soc. 1:13 (1904). Type: Arrino,
Western Australia, September 1903, W.V. Fitzgerald s.n. (holo: NSW 216915; iso: PERTH).
Dense, rounded or obconic shrubs 1-1.7 m tall. Branchlets appresscd puberulous. New shoots
silvery grey sericeous, arising within axil of paired peduncles at anthesis. Stipules persistent,
minute, triangular. Phyllodes narrowly to broadly oblong-oblanceolate to oblong-elliptic, acute,
mucronate, the mucro hard and sub-pungent or pungent, base attenuate, pulvinus 1-2.5 mm long and
appressed puberulous adaxially, blades 30-65 mm long, 3-5 mm wide, rigid-coriaceous, ascending,
usually ± incurved to nearly straight, appressed puberulous, glabrcsceni, olive-green; nerves
numerous, yellowish, strongly salient, inter-nerve spaces about twice as wide as nerves and with
raised sLomata clearly evident. Gland 1-3, situated on upper margin of phyllode, the lowest in the
basal 1/3 of phyllode. Peduncles 5-6.5 mm long, rarely to 11 mm long, 2 per axil, glabrous to
appressed puberulous; basal peduncular bract cuculiate, caducous, appressed-pubcrulous.
Flower-heads globular to slightly oblongoid, 4.5-6 mm diam., 25-35-flowered, rarely fewer.
Bracteoles linear, ciliolate. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals c. 1/2 petal length, free, linear, ciliolate.
Petals free, glabrous. Legumes linear, raised over and slightly constricted between seeds, 55-80
mm long, 2-3 mm wide, thin-coriaceous, straight to slightly curved, appressed puberulous. Seeds
longitudinal, oblong-elliptic, 3-3.5 mm long, 1.7-2 mm wide, glossy brown; pleurogram small, c.
0.8 mm long, U-shapcd, somewhat raised, paler coloured than rest of seed; aril and funicle yellow,
apical, 2/3 as long as seed.
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: On Mullewa road, l.B. Armitage 276
(PERTH); half-way between Pindar and Mullewa, AM. Ashby 1571 (PERTH); east ot Yuna on
Tenindewa road, AM. Ashby45\5 (PERTH), 4516 (CANB, PERTH) and 4645 (PERTH); 4 mi [6.4
km] W of Mullewa, AM. Ashby 4646 (PERTH); Dartmoor turnoff on road from Yuna to
Tenindewa, G. Phillips GP42 (PERTH); 12.8 km E of Mullewa towards Yalgoo, B.R. Maslin 3637
(K, MEL, PERTH); 13 km E of Mullewa towards Yalgoo, B.R. Maslin 5077 (PERTH).
Distribution. South-west Western Australia in Irwin and Avon Botanical Districts (1:250,000 maps
H50-l,2,6). Known only from a few localities between Yuna and Arrino.; the type collection was
made in the vicinity of Arrino which is considerably south and west ol most of the other collection
localities.
Habitat. On sandplains or on rocky clay.
Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering June— August; mature legumes with seeds in November
and December.
Affinities. Related to the widespread, variable A. lineolala , the taxonomy of which is currently
under review; A. multilineata is most readily distinguished by the straight, rather than recurved,
apex of its strongly incurved phyllodes. It is not inconceivable that the two species will in the final
analysis prove to be best treated as infraspecific taxa of one species.
Conservation status. 2K, using criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988).
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Nuytsia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990)
4. Acacia patagiata Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. (Figure 1)
Frutices 0.5-2.5 m aiti, corticc cinerea, laevi versus basim aspri excepia, ramulis glabris vcl
subglabris, rubro-brunneis. Phyllodia angustc clliptica ad anguste oblongo-oblanceolata, acuta vel
obtusa et oblique mucronata, versus basim attenuata, pulvino 1-1.5 mm longo, glabro, lamina 25-55
mm longa, 3-8 mm lata, plus minusve valde incurvaia, glabra, subglauca ad glauca, nervis tons
pariter distinctis vel 1-3 elevatioribus in quoque supcrficie, venulis pravis, tenuibus, incompletis,
nervo marginale valido, luteo, glandibus 2 vel 3 phyllodiorum juxta basem, medium el apicem.
Pedunculi (2-)3-6(-7) mm longi, plerumque glabri et glauci, 2-4 in quoque axilla. Capitula
globularia, 3-5 mm diametro, 16-24-floribus. Flores tetrameri. Sepal a petal is minus quam dimidia
breviora, 1/4-3/4-connata, lobis plus minusve ovalibus. Petala discreta, glabra. Ovarium dense
appresso-puberulum. Legurnina lincaria, 40-95 mm longa, 2-3.5 mm lata, pendentia, subrecta ad
valde curvata, saepe glauca, suluris anguste incrassatis, lutcis ad diluto-brunneis. Semina
longitudinalia, oblonga ad clliptico-oblonga, 3. 5-4. 5 mm longa, 2-2.5 mm lala, nitide atro-brunnea
ad nigra; pleurogramma 2-2.5 mm longa, peranguste; arillo pallido, apicali, galeato.
Typus: 7 km S of Mount Madden towards Ravcnsthorpe, Western Australia, 28 August 1973,
B.R. Maslin 3446 (holo: PERTH; iso; AD, B, BM, BRI, CANB, G, K, MEL, MO, NSW, NY, W).
Rounded shrubs 0. 5-2.5 m tall, spreading 1-2 m diam. Bark grey, smooth, except more or less
roughened at extreme base of main trunks. Branchlets slightly angled at tips, soon terete, glabrous
or sparingly appresscd-puberulous, glabresccnt, red-brown. Stipules caducous. Phyllodes narrowly
elliptic to narrowly oblong-oblanceolate, acute to obtuse, more or less excentrically mucronate, the
mucro straight or curved, dark brown, hard, coarsely pungent, tapering to pulvinus 1-1.5 mm long,
glabrous, blades 25-55 mm long, 3-8 mm wide, rigid-coriaceous, ascending to erect, rather strongly
incurved, glabrous, subglaucous to glaucous; all nerves equally distinct but most often one
mid-nerve or 3 main longitudinal nerves more strongly raised, yellowish, numerous finer venules
appearing as irregularly parallel, commonly incomplete, dark lines in the blade, inter-nerve spaces
many times wider than the main nerves, strong marginal nerves yellow, about equally thick as the
blade. Glands 2 or 3, situated near base, middle and apex on upper margin of phyllode. Peduncles
(2-)3-6(-7) mm long, 2(-4) per axil, glabrous or occasionally with few appressed hairs, sometimes
more or less glaucous; basal peduncular bract caducous, cucullate, broadly ovate, glabrous except
ciliolate. Flower-heads globular, golden, (3-)4-5 mm diam., 16-24-flowered. Bracteoles
spathulate-obovate, ciliolate. Flowers 4-mcrous. Sepals less than 1/2 length of petals,
1/4-3/4-united, lobes ± oval, ciliolate. Petals free, glabrous. Ovary densely appressed puberulous.
Legumes linear, somewhat raised over and constricted between seeds, 40-95 mm long, 2-3.5 mm
wide, pendent, cruslose, nearly straight to curved (old valves coiled and twisted), glabrous,
sometimes slightly glaucous, dark-brown with narrow, yellow to light brown marginal nerves.
Seeds longitudinal, oblong to elliptic-oblong, 3. 5-4. 5 mm long, 2-2.5 mm wide, compressed, glossy,
dark brown to black; pleurogram 2-2.5 mm long, very narrowly U-shapcd; arcole more or less
depressed; aril apical, about 1/3 as long as seed, galcatc.
Selected specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Jerramungup, 40.3 km E of Ongcrup,
r.E.II. Aplin, 1. Lethbridge and R. Coveny 3330 (PERTH); Pingrup, W.E. Blackall 3082 (PERTH);
37.5 km NNW of Mt Ncy, M.A. Burgman 1848 and S. McNee (PERTH); 19.5 km due SE of
Muckinwobert Rock, M.A. Burgman 4030 (PERTH); near Carracarrup Creek, 15 km S of
Ravensthorpe, G. Craig 1526C (MEL, PERTH); approx. 9 km E of Scaddan on Scaddan Road,
G. Craig 1675 (PERTH); 31.6 mi [50.6 km] E of Lake King towards Norseman, R. Camming 2588
(AD, BRI, PERTH); Phillips River crossing, 17 km W of Ravensthorpe towards Jerramungup,
B.R. Maslin 3460 (AD, B, BM, BRI, CANB, G, K, MEL, NSW, PERTH); Mungltnup area, east of
Ravensthorpe, B.R. Maslin 4480 (MEL, PERTH); 6 km NW of Boxwood Hill, K. Newbey 4261
(PERTH); 25 km ESE of Mt Gibbs, Frank Hann National Park, K. Newbey 5421 (PERTH); gate at
rabbit-proof fence, Mt Madden, R.A. Saffrey 316 (BM, NSW, NY, PERTH, W); Phillips River
Crossing, Ravcnsthorpc-Jerramungup road, M.D. Tindale 3820 (BRI, CANB, K, MEL, MO, US).
Distribution. South-west Western Australia in Roc and Eyre Botanical Districts (1:250,000 maps
150-8, 12; 151-1, 5, 6). Common throughout its range, from Pingrup E to near Mt Ney with a
northern limit in the Frank Hann National Park, 60 km N of Ravensthorpe.
R.S. Cowan & B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany — 3
217
Habitat. Usually along salt creeks and rivers, as well as at margin of salt pans and salt lakes, often
on small rises above HolosarciajArihrocnemum zone, on soils of fine or coarse sands to clay and
loam. (Much of the habitat information is based on Gill Craig’s study of salt-tolerant plants and we
are indeed grateful for this use of her data.)
Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering in July-Scplcmbcr; fruiting November to January.
Affinities. The new species resembles A. multilineata especially and to a lesser extent A. unguicula
but it is very distinct from both by virtue of its tclramerous flowers and by features of the phyllode
nervature: the main nerves (when they arc identifiable as such) are continuous from base to apex,
yellowish and broader than the irregularly parallel venules; and the marginal nerves are strongly
developed and yellow. In addition, the phyllodcs are subglaucous to strongly glaucous and lack
obvious stomata. Acacia mimica is also a close relative but it has 5-mcrous Cowers, uniformly
distinct nerves in the phyllodes, sessile flower heads and mottled seeds.
Conservation status. 3C, using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988).
Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the yellow border of the phyllodes (a patagium was the
golden border around the hem of the robe of Roman ladies, hence, patagiatus or bordered).
5. Acacia torticarpa C. Gardner ex Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. (Figure 1)
Arbuscula (?). Ramuli villoso-tomentosi, valde sulcati. Stipulae persistentes,
caudato-subulatae, 3-4 mm longac, tomentosae. Phyllodia angusie linearia, oblanceolato-linearia
vel elliptico-linearia, obtuso-mucronulata, pulvino 1 mm longo, tomentoso, lamina 37-55 mm
longa, 2-3.5 mm lata, incurvata, villoso-tomcntosa, nervis principalibus 3 vel 4 in quoque
superficic, valde salientibus, nervis sccondariis 3 vc! 4, fere quam salientibus. Pedunculi
deficientes vel perbreves, 2 in quoque axilla. Capitulae involucratae, pedunculari bractea basali
ovata usque ad elliptica, globulares, circa 5 mm diametro, 17- vel 18-floribus; bracteolae plus
minusve spathulatae, laminis ellipticis vel ovatis. Flores 5-mcri. Sepala pctalaque 1/2-2/3-connata,
puberula ciliolataque, sepala petalis dimidia breviora. Legurnina flcxuoso-linearia, plus minusve 20
mm longa, 2 mm lata, villoso-tomentosa. Semina longitudinalia, ovalia vel elliptica, 1.5-2 mm
longa, 1.2 mm lata; pleurogramma parva, arco-formata, arillo apicali, clongato.
Typus: Yorkrakine, Western Australia, 19 July 1946, C.A. Gardner 8043 (holo: PERTH; iso: AD,
BM, BRI, CANB, G, K, MEL, NSW, NY, PERTH, W, Z).
Shrubs (?). Branchlels villose-tomentose, strongly sulcate. New growth pale golden at tips,
becoming grey. Stipules persistent, caudate-subulate, 3-4 mm long, tomentose. Phyllodes narrowly
linear to oblanceolate-linear or elliptic-linear, acute, mucronate, often bluntly mucronulate later by
loss of mucro apex, mucro brown, straight, hard, ± coarsely pungent, base attenuate, blades 37-55
mm long, 2-3.5 mm wide, coriaceous, patent to inclined, slightly to moderately incurved,
villose-tomentose at first, somewhat glabrescenl; 3 or 4 main nerves per face strongly salient, 3 or 4
secondary nerves nearly as raised, inlcr-ncrve spaces much wider than nerves, stomata not evident.
Gland one, slightly raised, situated on upper margin of phyllode 1-3.5 mm above the very short (1
mm) pulvinus. Peduncles absent or very short, 2 per axil, tomentose; basal peduncular bract
narrowly ovate, acute, puberulous, cilialc, this and 4 bract-like bracteolcs encircling base of head.
Flower-heads globular, ± 5 mm diam., 17- or 18-flowered. Bracteoles ± spathulate, the blade
elliptic to ovate, acute, puberulous, ciliate, exserted in bud. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals half as long
as petals, both sepals and petals 1/2-2/3-uniled, puberulous, ciliolate. Ovary densely villose,
principally on margins, hairs directed antrorscly. Legumes flexuose-lincar, c. 20 mm long, 2 mm
wide, coriaceous, villose-tomentose. Seeds longitudinal in the legumes, oval to elliptic, 1.5-2 mm
long, 1.2 mm wide, glossy tan, compressed; plcurogram a small arc, c. 0.5 mm long and wide;
areolc in shallow depression, pale brown; aril apical, extending down one side more than half seed
length.
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NuylsiaVol. 7, No. 2(1990)
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: N of Yorkrakine, C.A. Gardner 7621
(PERTH); E of South Kumminin, C.A. Gardner 9485 (PERTH).
Distribution. Soulh-west Western Australia in Avon Botanical District (1:250,000 maps H50-15;
150-3). Only three collections arc known of this species, all from near Yorkrakine and South
Kumminin. Numerous attempts to re-collect the species in any of the localities have been in vain.
Habitat. No details available.
Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers collected in July; legumes with mature seeds collected in
September.
Affinities. The new species is part of the ’A. multilineata group’ and is most similar to A caesariata ,
differing in having sessile flower heads with a subtending row of bract-like bracteoles, partly
connate perianth parts, sulcate branchlets and flexuose legumes.
Conservation status. 3E[K], using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988).
Etymology. C.A. Gardner coined the specific epithet in allusion to the strongly flexuose fruits, but
never published it. We have adopted his herbarium name, rather than another, to avoid any possible
confusion with duplicates the collector may have distributed bearing this name.
6. Acacia unguicula Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. (Figure 1)
Frutices 1-2 m alti vel arbores usque ad 3 m altae, cortice cinereo, fibroso cl truncorum versus
basem plus minusve Fissurato, ramulis angularibus, glabris appresso-puberulis in phyllodiorum
axillas exceptis. Stipulae persistentes, spinescemes, recurvatae, 0.7- 1.2 mm longac. Phyllodia
anguste oblonga ad oblongo-oblanceolata vel clliptica, abrupte el breve angusto-cuspidata, attenuata
versus basem, (14-)20-40 mm longa, 3-4 mm lata, rigida, recta vel levilcr curvata, glabra, 14-16
nervis principalibus valdissime salientibus; glande 1 vel 2. Fedunculi 7-1 1 mm longi, binati, glabri;
pedunculi bractea basalis cucullata, rostrata. Capilulae globulares, aLro-aureae, 5-6 mm diametro,
24-34-floribus; bracteolis linearibus vel lineari-spathulatis. Flores 5-mcri. Sepala petala minus
quam 1/2 breviora, discreta, linearia ad lineari-spalhulata. Petala discreta, glabra. Legumen
lineare, ad 60 mm longum, 2 mm latum, parce appresso-pubcrulum. Semina non vidi.
Typus: Mount Singleton, Ninghan Station, Western Australia, 6 August 1969, R.A. Saffrey 829
(holo: PERTH; iso: CANB, K, MEL, NY).
Openly branched shrubs 1-2 m or tree (?) to 3 m tall. Bark grey, fibrous and somewhat fissured
at base of trunks, smooth on branches. New shoots sparsely appressed puberulous, hairs white,
shoots arising from within axil of paired peduncles at anthesis. Branchlets with several low ridges,
glabrous except appressed puberulous in axils of phyllodcs. Stipules persistent, spinescent, more or
less recurved, 0.7-1. 2 mm long. Phyllodes narrowly oblong to oblong-oblanceolate or elliptic,
abruptly and often cxcentrically short-cuspidate, pungent, (14-)20-40 mm long, 3-4 mm wide, rigid,
erect, straight or slightly curved, glabrous except appressed puberulous basally on adaxial surface,
olive-green; 14-16 main nerves strongly salient, few strong anastomoses evident, stomata distinct,
not strongly raised. Glands 1 or 2 on upper margin of phyllode, lowest one in basal hall ol
phyllode, upper one (when present) near apex. Peduncles 7-1 1 mm long, 2 per axil, glabrous; basal
peduncular bract caducous, cucullate, rostrate. Flower-heads globular, deep golden, 5-6 mm diam.,
24-34-flowered. Bracteoles linear or linear-spalhulate. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals less than 1/2
petal length, free, linear-spathulate. Petals free, glabrous. Legumes (immature) linear, to 60 mm
long, 2 mm wide, slightly raised over and scarcely constricted between seeds, old valves coiled,
sparsely appressed puberulous. Seeds not seen.
R.S. Cowan & B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany — 3
219
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Mt Singleton, J.S. Beard 6454 (PERTH),
C.A. Gardner 12012 (PERTH), B.R. Maslin 4240 (CANB, K, MEL, PERTH), and 5 /7. Smith 614
(BRI, MEL, PERTH).
Distribution. South-west Western Australia in Austin Botanical District (1:250,000 map H50-7).
Known only from Mt Singleton between Wubin and Paynes Find.
Habitat. Rocky clay or loam in open scrub on upper slopes and summit of mountain.
Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering August — September; no mature legumes seen.
Affinities. Related to A. multilineata but differing most obviously in its persistent, more or less
recurved, spinescent stipules and very strongly salient nerves; its peduncles are also longer. The
new species is restricted to Mt Singleton, W.A.
Conservation status. 2V, using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988).
Etymology. The specific epithet, refers to the stipules as small claws (the diminutive of unguis,
Latin for nail, claw or talon).
Acknowledgements
Suzanne Curry, technical assistant employed with ABRS grant funds, provided invaluable
support in the preparation of this account, without which we would have been severely
handicapped. The illustrations prepared by John Rainbird are especially helpful to complement the
text. We are very grateful to both our collaborators.
References
Briggs, D. & J.H. Leigh (1988). "Rare or Ihreatencd Australian plants." Revised edn. (National Parks and Wildlife Service,
Commonwealth of Australia: Canberra).
Maslin, B.R. & L. Pedley (1988). Patterns of distribution of Acacia in Australia. Austral. J. Bol. 36: 385-393.
Nuytsia 7(2); 221-228(1990)
221
Acacia Miscellany 4. Three new Western Australian species
with affinities to A. wilhelmiana (Leguminosae:Mimosoideae: Section
Plurinerves ) from Western Australia.
B.R. Maslin
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Conservation and Land Management,
P.O. Box 104, Como, Western Australia 6152
Abstract
B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany — 4. Three new Western Australian species with affinities to A. wilhelmiana
(Leguminosae:Mimosoideae: Section Plurinerves) from Western Australia.. Nuytsia 7(2): 221-228 (1990). Descriptions are
provided for three new Western Australian species of Acacia, namely, A. ascendens, A. brachypoda and A. cowaniana.
These species, together with seven close relatives, are referred to the informal " A . wilhelmiana group". A key is presented to
the ten species of this group.
Introduction
The main purpose of this paper is to describe three new Western Australian species for
inclusion in the forthcoming Acacia volume of Flora of Australia. These species, together with
seven close relatives, are here referred to informally as the "Acacia wilhelmiana group'. The 10
species assigned to this group are: A. abrupta Maiden & Blakely, A. ascendens Maslin sp. nov.,
A barattensis J. Black, A. brachypoda Maslin sp. nov., A. cowaniana Maslin sp. nov., A. gracilifolia
Maiden & Blakely, A. helmsiana Maiden, A. menzelii J. Black, A. viscifolia Maiden & Blakely and
A. wilhelmiana F. Muell.
Most species of the "A. wilhelmiana group" occur in the semi-arid areas of south-west Western
Australia and south-east South Australia. However, A. wilhelmiana ranges from South Australia
into Victoria and New South Wales. Also, A. abrupta and A. helmsiana occur in the Arid Zone of
Western Australia and Northern Territory, with the latter species extending to South Australia.
Distributions for the above species, except the three new ones, are shown in Maslin & Pedley
(1982).
Species of the "A. wilhelmiana group" are shrubs or small trees which share most or all of the
following characters: (1) plants resinous and/or viscid to some degree; (2) phyllodes excentrically
mucronulate, often incurved, longitudinal nerves distant and commonly obscure, lateral nerves
222
Nuytsia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990)
absent; (3) peduncles 1 or 2 per axil and often inserted on very short racemes (axes 1-5 mm long);
(4) basal peduncular bracts solitary and persistent or (in A. abrupta and sometimes in A. ascendens
and A. helmsiana) absent; (5) flower-heads globular or almost so; (6) flowers 5-merous (4-merous
in A. barattensis)', (7) calyx gamosepalous (although deeply dissected in A. ascendens, A. helmsiana
and A. menzelii)', (8) legumes usually firmly chartaceous; (9) seeds longitudinal.
The "A. wilhelmiana group" is not readily accommodated in either Bentham’s (1864) or
Pedley’s (1978) classifications of Acacia. This is because for phyllodinous species with globular
flower-heads, these systems rely on the number of nerves per phyllode to ascribe species to either
section Phyllodineae or Plurinerves. In the "A. wilhelmiana group" this is a variable character with
the number of nerves varying from two to more than seven per phyllode, i.e.
2 nerves per phyllode; A. helmsiana
4 nerves per phyllode: A. abrupta, A. ascendens, A. brachypoda
3 to 7 nerves per phyllode: A. cowaniana
5 or more nerves per phyllode: A. wilhelmiana
5 or 7 nerves per phyllode: A. viscifolia
6 nerves per phyllode: A. menzelii
8 nerves per phyllode: A. barattensis
This is but one of many examples that demonstrates the need to reassess the classification of
Acacia subgenus Phyllodineae in order to produce a scheme which better reflects natural groupings
of taxa.
Key to species of "A. wilhelmiana group"
1 . At least some phy llodes 5 - 1 0 cm long
2. Flowers 4-merous; phyllodes compressed,
obscurely 3-nerved per face (S.A.) A. barattensis
2. Flowers 5-merous
3. Peduncles glabrous; phyllodes terete, 4-nerved (W.A., N.T.)
4. Gland at base of phyllode 0-2 mm above the pulvinus; sepals united;
legumes 2.5-3 mm wide (W.A., N.T.) A. abrupta
4. Gland absent from base of phyllode; sepals ± free;
legumes 5 mm wide (W.A.) A. ascendens
3. Peduncles puberulous; phyllodes ± compressed, >4-nerved in all (including
marginal nerves)
5. Peduncle indumentum not prominent, hairs white;
some or all phyllodes >6.5 cm long, phyllodes longitudinally grooved on
each face (S.A.) gracilifolia
5. Peduncle indumentum prominent, hairs light golden;
few phyllodes to 6.5 cm long,
the remainder shorter (S.A.) A. wilhelmiana (Flinders Range variant)
1. All phyllodes 1-5 cm long
6. Phyllodes flat (although often somewhat thick)
B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany — 4
223
7. Phyllodes 2-nerved or more per face
8. Heads ± cream; peduncle indumentum obscure; phyllodes (2)3-5 cm long,
1-2.5 mm wide. (W.A.) A. cowaniana
8. Heads golden (S.A., Vic., N.S.W.)
9. Peduncles with a conspicuous, dense, light golden pubescence;
phyllodes 1-3 cm long, 1-4(6) mm wide A. wilhelmiana
9. Peduncles glabrous; phyllodes 1.5-4 cm long, 0.5-1 mm wide A. menzelii
7. Phyllodes 1 -nerved per face
10. Peduncles 2-3 mm long; flowers 8 or 9 per head;
phyllodes 2-5 cm long (W.A.) A. brachypoda
10. Peduncles 5-15 mm long; flowers 20-30 per head;
phyllodes 0.5-2 cm long (W.A., N.T., S.A.) A. helmsiana
6. Phyllodes terete to sub-terete
11. Flowers 8 or 9 per head; peduncles 2-3 mm long; phyllode apices
eglandulose (W.A., rare) A. brachypoda
1 1. Flowers >10 per head; peduncles usually >3 mm long
12. Flowering peduncles glabrous
13 Phyllodes 6-nerved, apices eglandulose;
branchlet apices sparsely puberulous (S.A.) A. menzelii
13. Phyllodes (obscurely) 2- or 4-nerved, with a small gland
adjacent to mucro (observe at xlO mag); branchlets glabrous
14. Phyllodes 0.5-2 cm long, 2-nerved,
base eglandulose. (W.A., N.T., S.A.) A. helmsiana
14. Phyllodes 2-5 cm long, 4-nerved
15. Gland at base of phyllode 0-2 mm above the pulvinus;
sepals united; legumes 2.5-3 mm wide (W.A., N.T.) A. abrupta
15. Gland absent from base of phyllode;
sepals ± free; legumes 5 mm wide (W.A.) A. ascendens
12. Flowering peduncles and branchlet apices puberulous
(indumentum sometimes minute, sparse and imbedded in resin)
16. Peduncles with a prominent, dense, light golden pubescence;
branchlets commonly with prominent yellow ribs
at extremities (S.A.,Vic., N.S.W.) A. wilhelmiana
16. Peduncles sparsely pubescent, hairs white and/or golden;
branchlets not obviously ribbed (W.A.) A. viscifolia
Taxonomy
Acacia ascendens Maslin, sp. nov.
224
Nuytsia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990)
Frutices glabri ad 2(3) m alti, apicibus vegetativis novis resinosis et leviter viscidis. Phyllodia
teretia, 2-4 cm longa, 1 mm diametro, incurvata vel solum ad basem incurvata et abler recta, saepe
truncata vel obliquo-truncata, excentrice mucronulata, inclinata ad ascenderts, viridia, 4-nervata,
nervis brunneolis, leviter impressis viscidisque, exsudata saepe cristam angustam translucidam
formanti; glande juxta mucronem. Pedunculi 5-14 mm longi, plerumque 1 vel 2 in racemis
axillaribus vel terminalibus ad 5(10) mm longis dispositis; capitula globularia, dense 20-25-floribus,
aurea, resinosa. Flores pentamcri, sepalis ad basem connatis. Legutnina (submatura)
angusto-oblonga, ad 7 cm longa, 5 mm lata, plana, leviter undulata, resinosa. Semina (submatura)
longitudinalia, oblongo-elliptica, arillo clavato.
Typus: Chiddarcooping Nature Reserve, Western Australia, 23 July 1989, B.R. Maslin 6382 (holo:
PERTH; iso: AD, B, BM, BRI, CANB, G, K, MEL, MO, NSW, NY, PERTH, Z).
Moderately dense, ± obconic shrubs to 1.5-2 m tall, sometimes 3 m, single-stemmed or
several-branchcd at ground level. Bark mid-grey, smooth except furrowed at base of old stems.
New shoots resinous, slightly viscid, pale green or light bronze. Branchlets terete, obscurely ribbed,
glabrous, resinous and brown at extremities. Stipules semi-persistent, narrowly triangular,
inconspicuous, c. 0.5 mm long, 0.1-0.2 mm wide, dark brown. Phyllodes ± terete, (1)2-4 cm long, a
few to 6 cm long, c. 1 mm wide, inclined to ascending, erect when young, incurved or + straight but
incurved at base, occasionally ± sigmoid, glabrous, green, stomata numerous (observe at xlO mag.);
4-nerved, nerves brownish and slightly impressed, resinous, the exudate commonly forming a
narrow translucent ridge; apices often uncinate to subuncinate, excentricallly mucronulatc, often
obliquely truncate; pulvinus obscure, < 0.5 mm long, ± smooth, yellow to pale orange. Gland
situated on upper margin of phyllode adjacent to the mucro, circular, 0.3-0.4 mm diameter, base
eglandulose. Inflorescences situated at ends of branchlets, comprising short terminal and/or axillary
racemes or axillary peduncles. Terminal racemes growing out at anthesis, the peduncles subtended
abaxially by a terete, acute prophyll which is c. 1 mm long and Banked by a pair of stipules.
Axillary racemes to 5(10) mm long, 1- or 2-hcadcd, terminated by a vegetative bud which
occasionally grows out during anthesis, base of raceme axis ebracteatc, the peduncles subtended
abaxially by a minute persistent, triangular, brown bract c. 0.5 mm long or with prophyll and
stipules as on terminal racemes. Peduncles 5-14 mm long, glabrous; basal peduncular bracts
absent (w'hen inflorescences are non-racemose) or solitary (on axillary racemes) or replaced by a
prophyll (on terminal and axillary racemes). Flower-heads globular, 12 mm diam. (fresh), 6 mm
diam (dry), golden, resinous, densely 20-25-flowcrcd. Bracleoles ± spathulatc, 1 mm long,
glabrous. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals united at base, narrowdy oblong to broadly spathulate, claws
translucent, laminae yellow, + concave and slightly thickened abaxially. Petals 1.7 mm long,
glabrous, very obscurely nerved. Legumes (slightly immature) narrowly oblong, to 7 cm long, 5
mm wide, straight, flat, slightly undulate, not reticulate, resinous, glabrous. Seeds (slightly
immature) longitudinal in the legume, oblong-elliptic; areole open towards hilum;/uwc/e 12 mm
long, expanded into a clavate aril.
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Chiddarcooping Nature Reserve,
S.D. Hopper 6405, 6407, 6408-6412, 6414 (all PERTH) and A.S. Weston 14029 (BM, G, NT,
PERTH), 14103 (AD, BRI, CANB, K, MEL, NSW, PERTH), 14170 (PERTH), 14263 (PERTH,
MO, NY), 14263 A (PERTH), 14546 (PERTH).
Distribution. South-west Western Australia in the Avon Botanical District (1:250,000 map
H50-12). Known only from the Chiddarcooping Nature Reserve, about 70 km NE of Merredin.
Habitat. Scree slopes of granitic breakaways in woodland or low scrub.
Flowering and fruiting. Flowers June — September. Legumes with slightly immature seeds occur in
early November.
Affinities. On account of its short, terete, 4-nerved phyllodes with an apical gland and its overall
inflorescence characters, A. ascendens is most closely related to the widespread southern Arid Zone
B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany — 4
225
species A. abrupta. Both species are glabrous, resinous shrubs. Acacia abrupta is readily
distinguished from the new species in the following ways: phyllode nerves lacking ridges of
translucent, viscid material; gland present at base of phyllode as well as the apex; sepals united for
c. 2/3 their length; legumes 2.5-3 mm wide, arcuate, biconvex, shallowly constricted between seeds,
longitudinally reticulate.
Conservation status. 2RC using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988). The species is locally
abundant in suitable habitats within the Chiddarcooping Nature Reserve.
Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the characteristic phyllode orientation.
Acacia brachypoda Maslin, sp. nov.
Frutic.es densi leviter resinosi-aromatici ad 2 m alti. Ramuli glabri, nervis latis, lulcis vel
viridibus. Phyllodia teretia ad plana, 2-5 cm longa, 1 mm lata, oblique truncata et excentrice
mucronulata, viridia, glabra, obscure 4-ncrvata, 1-ncrvata ubi plana, pulvino minuto sed distincta,
glandc obscura, circa 0.5 mm supra pulvinum, phyllodiorum apicibus eglandulosis. Pedunculi 2-3
mm longi, 2 in quoque axilla, aliquando in racemo ad 1 mm longo, appresso-puberuli, bractea basali
lutea, capitulis globularibus, aureis, 8- vel 9-floribus. Flores pentameri, calycc gamoscpalo, petalis
uninervalis. Legumina arcuata et undulata ad irregulariter circinnata vel non arcuata, ad 8 cm longa,
7-8 mm lata, tenuiter coriaceo-crustacea. Semina longitudinalia, oblonga ad oblongo-ovata, 4 mm
longa, arillo crasso.
Typus. 13.5 km N of Brookton on the road to Beverley, Western Australia, 26 May 1976,
B.R. Maslin 4088 (holo: PERTH; iso: CANB, K, NY).
Dense, round, slightly aromatic shrubs to 2 m tall, dividing near ground level into many
spreading to erect stems. Bark fissured at base of old stems otherwise smooth and grey except
upper branches which are often brownish. New shoots resinous, slightly viscid, pale green.
Branchlels glabrous, terete except angled at extremities, roughened by raised stem-projections
where phyllodes have fallen, marked with broad (0.3-0.4 mm wide) flat, shiny nerves, at branchlet
apices the nerves green (drying yellow) and close together, with age turning brown, widely spaced
and more prominent. Stipules caducous, triangular, minute, 0.3-0.5 mm long, thick. Phyllodes
terete, sub-terete or flat, 2-5 cm long, 0.7-1 mm wide, finely longitudinally sulcate when dry, patent
to inclined or ascending to erect, straight to shallowly incurved, slightly shiny, glabrous, green;
4-nerved, 1 -nerved per face when flat, nerves impressed and obscure, brownish when dry,
sometimes overlaid by an irregular narrow ridge of translucent resin; apices not uncinate, obliquely
truncate, ending in a very short, acute, excentric mucro; pulvinus very reduced, 0.2-0.5 mm long,
narrower than phyllode width, yellowish. Gland not prominent, situated on a slight, rounded angle
c. 0.5 mm above pulvinus, apices eglandulose. Inflorescence parts resinous, not viscid. Peduncles
2-3 mm long, 2 per node with a vegetative bud (enveloped by resin) arising from within their angle,
sometimes inserted on an extremely short raceme to 1 mm long, antrorscly appressed puberulous,
hairs while and partially or wholly enveloped by resin; basal peduncular bract solitary, persistent,
triangular, c. 0.5 mm long, somewhat thickened, yellow. Flower-heads prolific, globular, resinous,
mid-golden, 8- or 9-flowered. Bracteoles sub-sessile; laminae triangular-ovate, c. 0.5 mm long and
the same across, resinous, slightly auriculate at base, sparsely appressed puberulous abaxially, hairs
light golden. Flowers slightly resinous, 5-merous. Calyx c. half length of corolla, gamosepalous,
turbinate, shortly divided into broadly triangular lobes; calyx tube ± obscurely 5-nerved, antrorsely
appresscd-puberulous, hairs white on lower half, light golden on upper half. Petals c. 2.5 mm long,
free, sparsely appressed-puberulous (hairs obscured by resin), midribs rather prominent. Legumes
(mostly dehisced) to c. 8 cm long (expanded length), 7-8 mm wide, narrowly oblong, curved and/or
undulate to irregularly circinnate, valves commonly irregularly coiled and twisted following
dehiscence, not or scarcely constricted between seeds and somewhat raised over them, firmly
chartaceous to thinly coriaceous-crustaceous, resinous, glabrous, mid-brown. Seeds (few seen)
longitudinal in the legume, oblong to oblong-ovate, 4 mm long, 2.5-3 mm wide, compressed (1-1.5
mm thick), dark brown, moderately shiny, pleurogram obscure; areole elongated "U"-shaped, open
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Nuytsia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990)
towards the hilum, 2-2.5 mm long, c. 0.8 mm wide, funic le filiform c. 1 mm long, expanded into a
thick terminal yellow-brown (when dry) aril c. 2 mm long.
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Darkin Swamp, J.S. Beard 8 1 30 (PERTH),
RJ. Edmiston 2 (PERTH) and B.R. Maslin 6331 (PERTH); between Beverley and Brookton,
B.R. Maslin 6342 (AD, BRI, CANB, CBG, G, K, MEL, MO, NSW, NY, PERTH, Z)
Distribution. South-west Western Australia on the border of the Darling and Avon Botanical
Districts (1:250,000 map 150-2). Known only from two populations between Brookton and the
headwaters of the Darkin River.
Habitat. Low-lying seasonal swampy areas on sandy clay or loam in Open Scrub (Darkin Swamp),
or low sandy loam rises in Open Woodland adjacent to slightly saline flats (near Brookton).
Flowering and fruiting period. Flowering commences in late May near Brookton but about a month
later at Darkin Swamp. Because of the paucity of collections it is not known when flowering ends.
Neither is it known when seed first matures, however, some legumes (a few with seeds remaining)
can be found on the plants during at least May and June. Judging from the large quantity of
dehisced legume valves on the ground under the plants, this species has a high fecundity.
Affinities. The new species is readily distinguished from other members of the "A. wilhelmiana
group" by its very short peduncles and few-flowered heads. Other characters useful in recognizing
A. brachypoda include the following: branchlet nerves broad and Hat, phyllodes (obscurely)
4-nerved, pulvinus narrower than the width of phyllode, calyx turbinate and very shortly dissected,
petals rather prominently 1 -nerved, legumes broad.
Conservation status. 2V using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988).
Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the characteristic short peduncles.
Acacia cowaniana Maslin, sp. nov.
Frutices vel arbores ad 5(8) m alta, ramulis glabris vel subglabris. Phyllodia linearia, attenuata
versus basem, uncinata ad subuncinata et cxcentrice rostcllata, (2)3-5 cm longa, 1-2.5 mm lata, 1: w
= 10-46, patens ad inclinata, leviter incurvata, plana nervis aliquibus apprcsso-puberula vel laminis
omnino glabris, viridia, in quoque supcrficic obscure 3-7 nervata, glande basali. Racemi 2-3 mm
longi, pcdunculis (1)2 in quoque axilla 5-7 mm longis, sparse ad parce appresso-puberulis; capitula
globularia, crernea ad diluto-cilrina, 20-floribus. Flores pentameri; calycc gamosepalo. Legumina
linearia, ad 8 cm longa, 4.5-6 mm lata, firme chartacea, leviter undulata, villosa vel pubcrula,
maturitate pilis decrescentibus. Semina longitudinalia, oblongo-clliplica ad oblongo-ovata, c. 3.5
mm longa, interdum ad 5 mm longa, arillo clavato.
Typus. Mount Caroline (eastern slopes), 21 km due SSW of Kcllcrbcrrin, Western Australia, 10
April 1986, B.R. Maslin 6015 (holo: PERTH; iso: CANB, K, NY).
Shrubs or small trees to 5 m tall, occasionally to 8 m, dividing at or near ground level into a few
main trunks. Bark grey, fibrous and longitudinally fissured on main trunks (at least at their bases),
smooth and grey-red or reddish brown on upper branches. Branchlets terete, angled at extremities,
obscurely ribbed, glabrous or sparsely antrorsely puberulous, hairs white or golden and mainly
confined to the ribs, ribs commonly Hanked by an irregular, slightly raised line of yellowish
sub-epidermal material (? resin) which is ± continuous at first but breaking into irregular tubercles
with age. Stipules caducous, inconspicuous, triangular, c. 0.3 mm long. Phyllodes narrowly linear,
narrowed at base, (2)3-5 cm long, 1-2.5 mm wide, l:w = 10-46, Hat, patent to inclined, mostly
shallowly incurved, a few straight or shallowly sigmoid, resinous, glabrous or sparsely
appressed-puberulous, hairs white or golden and confined to some nerves, green; obscurely
B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany — 4
227
3-7-nerved per face, nerves distant, brownish and slighdy impressed when dry, uniformly obscure
(scarsely visible when fresh) or 2 per face yellowish and more pronounced than the rest, lateral
nerves absent; apices sub-uncinate, rounded or occasionally obliquely truncate, excentrically
rostellatc; pulvinus c. 0.5 mm long, yellow or orange-brown and slighdy transversely rugose when
dry. Gland situated on upper margin of phyllodc at distal end of pulvinus, circular or elliptic, c. 0.5
mm long, apices eglandulose. Racemes resinous, (l-)2-headcd; raceme axes 2-3 mm long,
compressed, shallowly channelled above, sparsely apprcssed-puberulous, hairs white or golden,
base ebracteate, terminated by a vegetative bud. Peduncles 5-7 mm long, sparsely to moderately
appressed-puberulous, hairs white or pale golden and commonly enveloped in resin; basal
peduncular bract persistent, triangular-ovate, c. 0.5 mm long, light brown. Flower-heads globular,
cream to very pale lemon yellow, 10 mm diam. (fresh), 4.5-7 mm diam. (dry), 20-flowered,
resinous. Bracteoles spathulatc, 1 mm long; claws linear, glabrous; laminae ± ovate, acute,
indexed, slighdy thickened, sparsely appressed-puberulous. Flowers 5-merous, resinous. Calyx
membranous, c. half length of corolla, gamoscpalous, variably dissected to c. half its length into
oblong or triangular, sparsely appressed-puberulous lobes, calyx tube glabrous. Petals 1.5-2 mm
long, joined for 1/2-2/3 their length, glabrous or sparsely appressed-puberulous, obscurely
1-ncrved. Legumes linear, to 8 cm long, 4.5-6 mm wide, firmly chartaceous, ± straight to slightly
curved, slightly undulate, rounded on opposite sides over alternate seeds, slightly resinous, light
brown to mid-brown, villous or puberulous, hairs rather sparse with age. Seeds (few seen)
longitudinal to longitudinally oblique in the legume, oblong-elliptic to oblong-ovate, mostly c. 3.5
mm long and 2 mm wide (perhaps slightly immature) but one measuring 5 mm long and 3 mm
wide, tan, dull (small seeds) or sub-shiny (large seeds); pleurogram obscure; areole open towards
the hilum, 1 mm long (small seeds) or 2 mm long (large seeds), 0.4-0.5 mm wide ;funicle filiform,
c. 1 mm long, expanded rather abruptly into a clavatc, presumably white (commonly
yellowish-brown when dry) aril extending c. 1/3 seed lengLh.
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Jilakin Rock, 2 May 1986, K.J. Atkins s.n.
(PERTH); Mt Caroline, 15 May 1961, W.H. Butler s.n. (PERTH); Kellerberrin Hill, 2 July 1936,
C.A. Gardner s.n. (PERTH); Mooranoppin Rock, C.A. Gardner 13887 (PERTH); Mt Caroline
5 April 1986, J. Kinnear s.n. (PERTH); Kellerberrin, September 1897, R.B. Leake , (PERTH);
Jilakin Rock, 24 October 1959 and 10 August 1960, C.V. Malcolm s.n. (both PERTH); 8 km NE of
Kellerberrin on "Shark Mouth" Rd, B.R. Maslin 589 (BRI, PERTH) and B.R. Maslin 589A (MEL,
NSW, PERTH); Mt Caroline (eastern slope), B.R. Maslin 601 5A (PERTH).
Distribution and habitat. South-west Western Australia in the Avon Botanical District (1:250,000
maps H50-15 and 150-03). Restricted to a few granite outcrops around Kellerberrin and Kulin.
Besides the localities listed above, the species is also known from Nangeen Hill, south-east of
Mt Caroline (B. Bromilow, pers. comm.).
Flowering and fruiting period. Flowers April — July. Legumes (slightly immature) in October.
Affinities. Related to the eastern Australian species A. wilhelmiana which is most readily
distinguished by its flower heads goldencolourcd, peduncle indumentum denser and more
conspicuous, phyllodes usually shorter (1-3 cm long, rarely a few to 6.5 cm), gland 1-2 mm above
pulvinus and legumes 2-3 mm wide and glabrous.
Conservation status. 3R using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988).
Etymology. Named in honour of Richard Cowan in recognition of his major contribution to
botanical bibliography through co-authorship (with F. Stafleu) of "Taxonomic Literature II" and in
appreciation of the enjoyable collaboration since 1987 on the study of Australian acacias.
228
Nuytsia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990)
Acknowledgements
Richard Cowan is thanked for providing the Latin descriptions. Diana Corbyn and Barbara
Jones are thanked for their competent technical assistance. The work was conducted at the Western
Australian Herbarium under a grant provided through the Australian Biological Resources Study.
References
Bentham, G. (1864). "Flora Australiensis", vol. 2. (Lovell Reeve: London.)
Briggs, J.D. & Leigh, J.H. (1988). "Rare or Threatened Australian Plants." Revised edn. National Parks and Wildlife
Service, Commonwealth of Australia: Canberra.)
Maslin, B.R. & Pedley, L. (1982). The distribution of Acacia (Lcguminosae: Mimosoideae) in Australia. Part 1. Species
distribution maps. W. Austral. Herb. Research Notes 6: 1-128.
Pedley, L. (1978). A revision of Acacia Mill, in Queensland. Auslrobaileya 1: 75-234.
Nuytsia 7(2): 229 (1990)
229
Correction to ‘New taxa and notes on Banksia L.f. (Proteaceae)’
by A.S. George, Nuytsia 6(3): 309-317 (1988)
In the above paper a new variety of Banksia leptophylla was described. In a heading on p. 314,
the spelling ‘var. mellitica’ was printed, but this was a typographical error and should have read
‘var. melletica’ . The latter spelling was used elsewhere in the paper (map caption, abstract).
Article 75.2 of the "International Code of Botanical Nomenclature" allows for correction where
orthographic variants appear in the original publication. The spelling 'Banksia leptophylla var.
melletica’ is here designated as correct and the spelling ‘var. mellitica’, rejected.
A.S. George, Bureau of Flora and Fauna, G.P.O. Box 1383, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
2601
Publication date of Nuytsia Volume 7 Number 1: 31 August 1989
0790 - 0590-750
Notes for Authors
Nuytsia publishes papers relating to the flora of Western Australia. All papers are refereed outside the Western Australian
Herbarium. The Herbarium reserves the right to reject papers.
Manuscripts must be submitted in duplicate, typewritten and double spaced. Printing is now done using a desktop publishing
system. After final acceptance of papers authors are requested to provide floppy discs readable directly by IBM computer.
Wherever possible, the MS-WORD software should be used in conjunction with a customized style sheet, available from the
editor with comprehensive instructions for its use. Alternatives should be discussed with the editor before preparing
manuscripts.
Great care with layout, spacing and typography must be exercised in the preparation of electronic manuscripts. In particular,
note the following. Text is not to be right-justified. Where manuscripts are compiled with software other than MS-WORD all
headings and paragraphs are to be left -justified. Within a paragraph two spaces are required between sentences; after colons,
semicolons, commas and dashes a single space is required. Where MS-WORD is used, text should be italicized or
emboldened where appropriate.
Original figures should not be lettered but instead accompanied by copies indicating lettering. Galley proofs will be
forwarded to authors for checking. Twenty reprints of each paper will be provided to authors free of charge; no additional
copies may be ordered.
Style and layout should follow recent numbers of Nuytsia. Note particularly the following.
Title. Should include the family name of genera or species treated. New taxa should be named if not numerous. The
geographic area of study should be given.
Abstract. The paragraph (or paragraphs) should be indented and commence with bibliographic information. New taxa,
combinations and names should be listed. The major contents of the paper should be summarised but no additional material
given. Key words indicating all ideas and topics covered by the paper must be included to facilitate computerised abstract
searching.
Headings. All headings should be in capitals and lower case, major headings being centred and minor ones left-justified.
Keys. May be either indented (e.g. Nuytsia 5: 277) or bracketed (e.g. Nuytsia 5: 84). Indented keys involving more than nine
levels of indentation should be avoided. Note that use of the MS-WORD style sheet (see above) considerably facilitates the
layout of both indented and bracketed keys.
Species treatments. Use of certain named paragraphs, or sets of paragraphs, for matter following the descriptions is
encouraged. The desired sequence and examples of commonly used headings are shown below. Recommended headings
which are italicised below, should be left-justified, followed by text on the same line.
(1) Taxon name, synonymy (if any) and type details (for previously published taxa).
(2) Latin (for new taxa - indented).
(3) Typtts ; (for new taxa - not indented).
(4) English description (indented).
(5) Other specimens examined or Selected specimens examined, as appropriate, preferably including
number of collections examined.
(6) Distribution.
(7) Habitat.
(8) Flowering period.
(9) Fruiting period.
(10) Typification (discussion).
(11) Affinities or Relationships.
(12) Discussion or Comments or Notes.
(13) Conservation status
(14) Etymology.
Synonymy. The desired formal is that used by P.G. Wilson, Nuytsia 4: 135-262.
Standard abbreviations. It is suggested that where possible the following standards be adhered to.
(1) Author abbreviations — Anon. (1980). Draft index of Author Abbreviations Compiled at the
Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kcw. (HMSO: London.)
(2) Book titles in literature citations — Stafleu, F.A. & Cowan, R.S. (1976-83). Taxonomic Literature.
Edn 2. (I.A.P.T.: Utrecht.) (But with Capital initial letters.) — Green, J.W. (1985). Census of the
Vascular Plants of Western Australia. Edn 2. Pp. 20-24. (Department of Agriculture: Perth.)
(3) Journal titles in literature citations and reference lists — Lawrence, G.H.M. el al. (1968). "B-P-H
(Botanico-Periodicum-Huntianum)." — Green loc. cit.
Figures. Numbers should follow a single sequence including maps.
Structure of papers. Authors are encouraged to use the conventional structure of scientific papers when a complete study is
being reported (e.g. a revision). A methods section should include the method of drawing up the descriptions from specimens,
extent of search for types, and discussion of concepts for choice of taxonomic categories. A discussion section should be
considered, which would include some or all of the following: a summary of the findings, emphasising the most significant;
interpretation of the results in the light of other relevant work; statement of new problems which have arisen; advising of
aspects which are to be followed up; suggestion of topics which others might usefully pursue; prediction and speculation.
♦ CONTENTS ♦
A new species of Trianthema (Aizoaceae) from the Kimberley region and a note on
T. triquetra. By Volker Bittrich 117
Correction and further notes to ’Studies on the Australasian Asclepiadaceae. I.
Brachystelma Simms in Australia’ By P.l. Forster 123
Taxonomy of Grevillea brachystylis species complex (Proteaceae).
By GJ. Keighery - 125
Caesia viscida, a new species of Anthericaceae (Liliaceae s. lat.) from south-western
Australia. By GJ. Keighery 133
Patersonia spirafolia (Iridaceae), a new species from south-western Australia. By
GJ. Keighery 137
New species of Olearia (Asteraceae: Astereae) endemic to Western Australia.
By N.S. Lander 141
Taxonomic Studies of Fimbristylis (Cyperaceae) in Northern Australia.
By P.K. Latz 161
Acacia Miscellany 1 . Some oligoneurous species of Acacia (Leguminosae:
Mimosoideae: Section Plurinerves ) from Western Australia. By R.S. Cowan and
B.R. Maslin 183
Acacia Miscellany 2. Species related to A. delloidea (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae:
Section Plurinerves) from Western Australia. By R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin 201
Acacia Miscellany 3. Some new microneurous taxa of Western Australia related to
A. multilineata (Leguminosae:Mimosoideae: Section Plurinerves) from Western
Australia. By R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin... 209
Acacia Miscellany 4. Three new Western Australian species with affinities to
A. wilhelmiana (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae: Section Plurinerves) from Western
Australia. By R.S. Cowan and B.R. Maslin 221
Correction to ’New taxa and notes on Banksia L.f. (Proteaceae)’ by A.S. George,
Nuytsia 6(3): 309-317 (1988) 229
Publication date of Nuytsia V olume 7 Number 1 229
ISSN 0085-4417
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